Citizens and civil society Happily Welcome Era of Plastic & Styrofoam Free Punjab

Ludhiana, March 31, 2016: In a meeting held in Ludhiana today, the civil society organizations, local and international NGOs, doctors, Animal Welfare Societies, environmentalists, social workers welcomed the Punjab government’s historical announcement of complete ban on the plastic bags and Styrofoam products with effect from April 1, 2016. As per a notification issued in this regard, by the state government a 100% ban has been imposed on manufacture, purchase, selling and use of plastic bags in all the areas falling under all urban local bodies of Punjab.

Said Ravneet Singh of EcoSikh that has been campaigning for Styrofoam and disposable free langars in Gurdwaras and nagar kirtans, “It is a great step by Government towards a new era of healthy Punjab and it’s future generations. It certainly will reduce the waste management load by at least 50% for all the MCs of Punjab. Moreover the langars in Punjab will no more pollute the land with non-biodegradable and dangerous one-time-use disposables like Styrofoam.”

Jaskirat Singh while welcoming the move of the government said, "Its a rare instance when civil society is standing 100% in favour of a government decision and the government deserves full credit for this positive move."

Rajiv Gupta of renowned Kheti Virasat Mission said, “The cloth and jute bags have been a part of Punjab’s culture and this step will protect soil of Punjab that has been drastically affected by plastic bags which are a menace. And with bio-degradable substitutes for polythene we see a better future of Punjab.”

Dr. Amandeep Singh Bains of RBS Roots which work for the welfare of the Punjab’s rivers stated, “The rivers, canals and rivulets will benefit remarkably as flow will be uninterrupted. Above all it's a win win situation for people, environment and businesses. It will create a huge room for local small scale jute and paper industry to bloom and create enormous employment and provide environmentally safe products.”

Dr. Neelam Sodhi of Ashirwad NGO called upon citizens to shun the use of plastic and thermocol to ensure that no dangerous chemicals enter into the food chains of the people, through the soil or water, which are extremely harmful to health.

Mrs Poonam Kalra of HOPE Animal Welfare and Dr. Sandeep Jain of PFA happily welcomed this, “Government should ensure 100% implementation of this ban to ensure animals are protected from painful deaths caused due to ingestion of plastic bags.