(a) whether the use of polybags around the sea-shores is not only disturb the ecological balance but also harmful for the sea animals;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to remedy the situation; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the use of polybags around the sea-shores is not only disturb the ecological balance but also harmful for the sea animals;
(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to remedy the situation; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS (SHRI BABU LAL MARANDI)
(a): The Ministry of Environment and Forests is not aware of any scientific study on the harmful effects of polybags on sea animals and disturbing the ecological balance around sea-shores.
(b) & (c): To discourage littering by plastic polybags and other plastic packaging materials and to encourage their recycling, the Ministry of Environment and Forests have brought out the Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999. These rules specify that minimum thickness for carrybags made of virgin or recycled plastics shall be 20 microns. These rules also prohibit the use of carrrybags and containers made of recycled plastics for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging of foodstuffs. In addition, several State Governments including coastal states like Goa have notified their own laws to check littering of polybags.