PARLE GOES PLASTIC FREE
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SUBURB…..Manthan K Mehta
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SUBURB…..Manthan K Mehta
Mumbai : A major factor in the July 26,2005 deluge was plastic bags clogging the citys storm water drains.In the ensuing years,after a ban on plastic less than 50 microns thick,the BMC seized 1.05 lakh kg of the material.But now the municipality is at its wits end about disposing of the detritus.
If only Mumbaikars were as environmentally conscious as the residents of Vile Parle,this situation would not have occurred.Owing to the residents organised effort and determination,the suburb has experienced a plastic-free existence for almost two years now.
We had a dedicated group of volunteers,who went door to door with a message about the ill-effects of plastic, said Subash Dalvi,officer on special duty,BMC,responsible for implementing the scheme.We roped in schools,colleges and even cultural organizationswhich are numerousto ensure that our message was spread wide.
There has been much enthusiasm for the project.People made donations,with which about 40,000 disposal bags were bought.Plastic is extremely addictive.Just one person breaking ranks can derail the entire project, Dalvi said.The reason why it has been a success in Vile Parle is the fact that we undertake follow-up exercises.This motivates the stakeholders to carry forward the initiative.
A similar exercise was started on Linking Road 12 months ago by residents groups and 120 stall owners,but it failed to elicit the desired response in the shopping haunt.It has been a partial success, said Aftab Siddique,chairperson,33rd road advanced locality management.Those implementing the ban are convinced about the dreadful effects of plastic on the environment,but self-motivation cannot be the sole basis of such a project.A carrot-and-stick policy too is required.The BMC needs to send nuisance detectors for random checks to penalize those flouting the norms.
In Worlis BMC market,the anti-plastic carry bag movement has been more or less successful.There are about 80 hawkers in this market and we have observed the ban for two years, said Sunil Jaiswal,a hawker.But a few have started playing truant.They broke away from the project a month ago.
The BMC used to send their inspectors to fine people,who kept plastic bags.Since they are not coming now,the traders are openly defying the ban.When tell such traders that a complaint will be filed with the BMC,they tell us to go ahead as they are not scared any more.
FASHION STREET FOLLOWS SUIT
Mumbai : Shoppers visiting Fashion Street will have to bring their own carry bags from now on.Following the example of their Linking Road counterparts,traders here have imposed a voluntarily ban on plastic bags.
Nearly 385 traders on Fashion Street,famous for trendy garments and footwear,took the decision after a BMC awareness drive.We have decided that none of our members will supply goods to customers in plastic bags, said Lalchand Gupta,president,Fashion Market Welfare Association (FMWA ).Any member flouting the directive will be penalized.The ban will work only if everybody cooperates.
Subhash Dalvi,officer on special duty,BMC,said : Fashion Street is a popular shopping destination among both tourists and locals.We felt if the anti-plastic project becomes successful here,it will send a strong message against the use of plastic bags to people across Mumbai and beyond.
Among BMC officials involved I the project are : Sunil Dhamne,asst municipal commissioner,A-ward;and Milin Sawant,dy municipal commissioner (Zone I).
FMWA member Mohammed Jahangir Sheikh said : On average,each trader hands over nearly 25 bags per day,costing a total of Rs 20.This means every year,one trader gives out about 9,000 plastic bags.Imagine these ending up in drains,clogging them.