Jammu and Kashmir government Wednesday imposed ban on the non-biodegradable disposable items being used in the daily chores.
The department of forest, environment and ecology issued anotification ordering complete ban on the disposable articles made ofnon-biodegradable material within the territorial jurisdiction of the state.
“Government imposed complete ban on (the) articles made ofnon-biodegradable material listed in the schedule of the said Act, within theterritorial jurisdiction of the state,” an official statement reads.
The articles include disposable plates, cups, bowls,tumblers, spoons, forks and knives.
The order shall be deemed to be in force after one monthfrom the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.
“Various steps have been undertaken to eliminate single-useplastic items. These steps include banning of single-use plastic and disposablematerial,” Manoj Kumar Divedi, secretary forest, ecology and environmentdepartment told Greater Kashmir.
He said the government also plans to conduct awareness drivefor promoting use of reusable alternatives of the plastic products.
Earlier this month, the general administration departmentasked government offices to dispense with the use of single use plastic waterbottles in their respective offices and make alternative arrangements for safedrinking water that does not generate plastic waste.
Bottles, dispensers, containers will be allowed ingovernment offices, instead water bottles of alternative materials like glass,steel, aluminium, etc.
Earlier, around 20 states have completely or partiallybanned the use of plastic, Uttar Pradesh being the latest.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)estimates, India generates as much as 10,000 tonne per day plastic waste withper capita generation of up to 5.7 kilos of plastic waste per annum, which isannually growing at a rate of 8-10 per cent.