500 fine for violation of plastic ban

GAYA: The Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) will impose a penalty of Rs 500 on persons found violating the ban on use of plastic material and fish feed on the temple premises. The penal notification has been issued by Gaya district magistrate- cum- BTMC ex officio chairman Abhishek Singh.

Earlier, on July 9, the DM informed a bench of Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice S Kumar of Patna high court that use of plastic products has been banned.

Officials claimed that the penalty amount will be deposited in the shrine account. Use of footwear inside the shrine is already banned and it carries a penalty of Rs 50. The ban order has also been communicated to all temple heads, monastery heads, other religious institutions, local hotel association and tour operators in Bodh Gaya.

According to sources, most plastic products taken inside the shrine find their way to the Muclinda Sarovar, a sacred pond where Buddha is said to have engaged in continuous meditation for one week prior to his enlightenment. As per the belief of Buddha followers, there were torrential rains during Buddha's meditation and a big snake named Mucalinda spread its fang to protect Buddha.

Many visitors to the shrine buy rice products and bread to feed the fishes in the sarovar. Rice products, breads and biscuits are packed in plastic bags and after feeding the fish, the bags are generally thrown in the pond. The feeds too cause pollution in the now decaying pond. The Gaya DM informed the court that about 3 lakh devotees and tourists visit the shrine every year.

Sources claimed that the Patna HC bench has also issued notice to the chief secretary, urban development department principal secretary and Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) chairman to remain personally present in the court on July 23, when the court will consider imposition of statewide ban on use of all plastic products, single use as well as recyclable.