Environmentalists call upon authorities to tighten noose around plastic bag ban violators

Citizens on Friday urged upon civic authorities to initiate strict administrative drive against violators of ban on plastic bag in capital. 

Environmentalists call upon authorities to tighten noose around plastic bag ban violators

Zero Plastic CEO Dr. Ansir Rajput told APP on Friday that the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICT) should pay serious attention towards the enforcement of plastic bags ban. 

Despite the urban flood threat, use of plastic bags was common in capital’s leading markets and urban centers except some branded outlets, he regretted.  Dr. Rajput said the use of plastic was highly injurious both for the human health and environment. “Plastic bags are one of the main reasons for choking of drains leading to urban flooding and directly pose threat to biodiversity,” he noted. 

Single-use plastic bags were banned in Islamabad since August 14, 2019. With the implementation of the ban, citizens saw enforcement by the civic forces but due to the Covid-19 lockdown the use of plastic bags in Islamabad resurrected.  Citizen have shown their discontent regarding this matter, they believe not only the road side vendors but large grocery shops have resumed its use. 

Zoya Naeem, a resident of Islamabad when asked said, “I am very much disappointed by the pace of implementation on this ban being enforced. The world needs every country to play its part to put an end to this environmental catastrophe.”

Ali Gul, an environmentalist showed utter discontent and said, “I wish Pakistan gets plastic-free, but this pandemic has spoiled everything as since the outbreak of Covid-19, enforcement of the ban remained low.”

He summed it up, “I am happy that the youth is well aware, social media is playing a phenomenal role in this awareness. Yet a large part of our country’s population is unaware of the drastic effects of plastic bag.” 

Saeed, a senior citizen of the capital suggested, “the civic bodies should not remain silent over this issue rather come up with some strategy to contain use of plastic bags. There are reusable cotton and jute bags available in the supply which should be opted by the shopkeepers.”

Originally published at The nation