Mirik to enforce ban on plastic carry bag

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, 8 November 2019, Siliguri: The Mirik municipality has decided to implement the ban on use of single use plastic carry bags as complaints emerged that local people and tourists dumped waste and the rubbish was not properly disposed of.

Sources in the Mirik subdivisional officer's office and the municipality said an initiative had been taken about a year back to curb the use of plastic carry bags but it was found that a section of locals and tourists were still using such items.

They said an awareness campaign and other initiatives would be taken to discourage the use of plastic carry bags.

"This time, an extensive campaign has been carried out across the town and in the surrounding areas. From now on, we will take all necessary measures to stop the use as it will help keep the town clean," said L.B. Rai, the chairman of the Trinamul Congress-run Mirik municipality.

Located around 50km from here, Mirik has huge acceptance among tourists. It is also known for Sumendu Lake in the heart of the town.

The civic board has been working to improve roads, carrying out landscaping and installing streetlights.

However, one of the major areas of concern for the civic body and the subdivisional administration is pollution of the town and the lake. There are complaints that waste, including plastic carry bags, is dumped in the lake and the garbage is not properly disposed of by a section of residents.

"There are reports that a section of tourists dump plastic carry bags in streams and waterfalls. Such practices should be stopped. We are also working for a comprehensive sewerage system and want to conserve the biodiversity and marine life of the lake," said a civic official.

Ashwini Roy, the SDO of Mirik, said: "The ban on single use plastic carry bags will be enforced properly in the subdivision. We are providing necessary support to the civic body also.".