Ensure Chamundi Hills plastic-free before Dasara: NGT Chairman Justice Subhash B Adi
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Mysuru: Taking serious exception to rampant usage of plastic in and around sacred Chamundi Hills, National Green Tribunal Chairman and Justice Subhash B Adi directed the officials here to ensure a total ban on plastic usage in Chamundi Hills before Dasara – 2023.
Chairing a meeting on waste disposal at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium here on Friday, Justice Subhash B Adi drew a comparison of Chamundi Hills with Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh. He was of the opinion that how Tirumala Hills is important to Andhra Pradesh, Chamundi Hills is to Karnataka. He directed the officials to ensure a ban on plastic usage right from the foothills of Chamundi Hills. Not just plastic bags, he also directed the officials to ban plastic water bottles. Instead, he suggested encouraging the usage of paper cups.
The officials have been asked to strictly enforce a ban on usage of plastic at gram panchayats and shops at Chamundi Hills with a stringent punishment. Those violating the law should have their license cancelled, he said.
He sought to know how the waste is disposed of at gram panchayat and other local bodies.
To encourage the public to keep the City clean, Justice Subhash B Adi asked the officials to direct hotels not to sell plastic bottles, and levy fines to manage waste at public functions where more than 100 persons attend. Besides, he also sought details on how bio-medical waste and chemical waste is disposed of by government and private hospitals in the city. He directed the agencies responsible to handle biowaste to ensure the City is clean and free from any hazards.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Dr K V Rajendra said that single use plastic is already banned in the city and that violating it is being fined. Since, Chamundi Hills witnesses record number of devotees, five special task forces have been formed to prevent devotees from taking plastic to Chamundi Hills from Lalith Mahal Palace itself, during Ashada month. Lalith Mahal Palace is a single point destination from where buses have been arranged for devotees visiting the Hills. No private vehicles are allowed to Chamundi Hills during Ashada month.
With Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing to set up Chamundi Hills Authority in the budget, it will further boost the efforts in ensuring plastic-free Chamundi Hills, deputy commissioner pointed out.
Mysore City Corporation Commissioner Lakshmikantha Reddy, ZP CEO Gayathri, City Police Commissioner Ramesh B, SP Seema Latkar, District Legal Services Authority member secretary Dinesh BG and others were present.
-Team Mysoorunews
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