AGARTALA, June 9 (TIWN): Despite the instruction issued by the Govt. in banning of plastic bags in Tripura, yet the shopkeepers are often found in maintaining their usual habit of placing things on it. Tripura high court stopped the use of plastic bags.

Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Tripura Government has imposed the complete ban on the production, importing; storing, transporting, selling and use of plastic carry bags. The plastic carry bags are littered around and pose a detrimental effect on the environment. The plastic bags also block gutters, sewers and drains, resulting in unhygienic environment and health-related problems.

It may be recalled that aquatic and terrestrial animals die after consuming the plastic bags. These bags arrest the recharging ground water aquifers while harmful chemicals and plastic colours contaminate the soil and water and choke the organisms.

Irresponsibly trashing of the plastic bags also affects the growth of roots, plants and creatures which causes long-term effect on ecology and environment. Though the state government imposed a total ban on plastic bags in view of its harmful affect on the environment, thin plastic bags are yet in use throughout the state.

On the contrary, the owners of cloth stores said that textile companies and factories supply textile goods in plastic bags.

On the other hand question also aroused that, can plastic banned fully? According to “Modified Plastic Waste Management & Handling Rule 2011”-Rule 5, plastic bags weighs less than 40 microns cannot be used, but above 40 microns can be used.

The biggest problem with the plastic bags is that that once they have been soiled the end up in the trash, which then ends up in the landfill or burned. Either solution is very poor for the environment. Burning emits toxic gases that harm the atmosphere and the people living around it.