Enforce the ban

DESPITE ban on use of polythene, the highly hazardous substance has not vanished from the Valley markets. Its sale and purchase continues unabated. Every day the municipal workers fish out huge quantities of used polythene from Srinagar drains. The ban was imposed four years ago but never enforced strictly. Time and again the matter was taken up with the concerned but all in vain.  It seems the authorities are scared of enforcing the ban. Polythene bags are manufactured in bulk at Jammu and transported to Valley for consumption. The authorities do not want to annoy the Jammu traders.  Hence the leniency in enforcing the ban strictly. The authorities do a favour to Jammu traders at the cost of Valley’s fragile environment. This hazardous substance chokes drains, streams and water bodies. There was a time when the shopkeepers would use paper bags. The trend needs to be revived. It can serve dual purpose. It can create new avenues of employment and go a long way in preserving the environment. The authorities have to rise above petty considerations before it is too late. If soft loans are given to unemployed youth for setting up paper bag and jute bag units, many a problem can be solved.  To start with the authorities must enforce the ban strictly. A special team needs to be constituted for market checking. The polythene bags must be seized and entry of the hazardous substance in the Valley prevented. This can be done by checking the vehicles at Qazigund. The experts also need to launch a massive campaign in various localities. The media can also play a significant role in ensuring a polythene free Valley. The authorities better introduce environmental preservation as a subject at the high school level. It is in the school that the children learn the basics of life. If the school children are apprised about the importance of environmental preservation, they will take appropriate measures after leaving the school. This is how good and responsible citizens can be produced.  However, before doing all this, the authorities need to approach the manufacturers at Jammu and persuade them to look for alternatives. The authorities can also provide financial help to ensure total prudence from them. The authorities need to issue guidelines to the tourists. It has been observed that the tourists, by and large, dump polythene and plastic bottles in lakes, streams and forests. Immediately on their arrival in the Valley, they must be told in clear terms to abstain from polluting the environment. Much damage has already been done to the environment. But it is never too late to mend. Preventive measures can be taken even now. The authorities have to wake up and the people have to change their habits. Instead of dumping the garbage into drains and water bodies, the people have to learn to dispose it off properly. The job cannot be and should not be left to the authorities and the experts. The general public must also co-operate.  Preserving environment is a religious obligation as well. A person has several duties to perform to protect and preserve the environment. The Imams and Ulema must also come forward to make the campaign a big success. For five minutes the Ulema can speak on the importance of environmental preservation on Fridays.