The State Government has issued restriction on the use of polythene carry bags below 20-micron thickness at different tourist sites at different times but has no information on any raids conducted at such places.
Forests and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of Congress MLA Naba Kishore Das.
According to the Minister, the State Pollution Control Board had imposed restriction on use of polythene bags in Puri, Konark, Bhitarkanika Santuary, Nandankanan, Satpada, Kalijai island, Barakul, Ramba, Balugaon, Kalupada Ghat, Nalabana and in all Chilika area way back in the years 2001 and 2002. Later, the Forest and Environment Department issued the restriction on use of polythene carry bags below thickness of 20 micron in 2004 and 2006. The Government had entrusted the implementation responsibilities on the temple, eduction, hotel, business and ULB authorities of concerned areas.
However, the Minister informed that the department has no information on the number of raids conducted and quantum of polythene carry bags seized during the following years.