Launch by the Minister Ramalinga Reddy & flagging of Anti-Plastic Walkathon on Feb 14 Sunday at 10 am in 5th Block opposite Munireddy Kalyana Mantap
City Kemp News
Over 100 traders from Koramangala and adjoining areas supported and vowed not to give or use plastic carry bags (Of single use) to consumers, at the Traders’ Meet organied by various RWAs of Koramangala in association with the BBMP and elected representatives from Koramangala/BTM constiuency, at the Koramangala Club on February 10.
This comes in the wake of various RWAs lead by Koramangala 1st Block RWA President Annie Joseph and member Padmashree Balaram, Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Corporator Chandrappa, environmentalist and animal activist Soumya Ramalinga Reddy, volunteers Smitha Kulkarni and Malini (both from HSR layout) and others, who held a series of meetings and arrived at the decision to ban plastic cover (of single use) in Koramangala and adjoining areas after the BBMP Joint Commissioner Hemachandra too agreed and work with them. The launch being on February 14 through a walkathon across Koramangala holding placads stating ‘Bring your Bag’ and ‘Say no to Plastic Carry Bags’ will greet one and all. Minister Ramalinga Reddy will launch this movement at the BBMP grounds in Koramangala 5th Block opposite Munireddy Kalyana Mantap near Ganesh Temple.
At the meet, volunteers Smitha and Malini explained about the ill effects of plastic usage in day-to-day life especially the single use plastic carry bags and other single use plastics. They also gave alternatives to the single use plastics like banana leaves, butter paper covers, cloth bags, paper bags, etc. especially for bakery products sellers, meat & chicken sellers, restaurants & hotels. Many of the traders present agreed to this. But there were some who could face difficulty like flower-bouquet sellers who use plastic sheets and tender coconut sellers who use plastic straws.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Manoranjan Hegde, Chief Health Officer, BBMP, said that February being the month for annual renewal of Trade License, we are taking an undertaking from the traders of not to use/give plastic carry bags to consumers and also on segregating of wet and dry waste compulsorily at their place. In the recent days, we have imposed a penalty over Rs 6 lakh on commercial establishments in Koramangala zone for not segregating the waste at their premises.
BBMP Executive Engineer Srinivas Reddy said that once the grace period is over, the enforcement team will inspect the commercial establishments and take action on those found guilty.
Corporator Chandrappa said and requested the shop owners to comply with the rules and simply not get fined for violating the ban.
Dr A K Ramdas of Koramangala 6th Block gave an example of his group, years ago in Dubai how they were into plastic carry bag ban and bring your bag movement.