Latest news with #PlasticWasteManagement(Amendment)Rules
Hans India
18-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Manufacture, storage of biodegradable carry bags gets cabinet nod
Bengaluru: The cabinet has approved an important amendment to allow the manufacture, storage, and sale of biodegradable carry bags, announced Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Eshwar B. Khandre on Thursday. Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting, Khandre said that under the 2016 state notification, the manufacture and sale of plastic carry bags, flex banners, posters, plastic plates, cups, and spoons were completely banned. However, with the recent innovation of plant-based biodegradable bags, which decompose within 180 days, the government has now approved a policy change to facilitate their use. He recalled that during a recent meeting of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, he had proposed amending the 2016 notification to align with the 2021 Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules issued by the Union Ministry of Environment. Khandre clarified that the amendment will now permit eco-friendly, biodegradable (compostable) bags, as well as pre-sealed packaging plastic that meets specific safety standards. The decision is in accordance with the Centre's 2021 directive. The move is expected to ease restrictions for industries producing biodegradable alternatives while ensuring that environmental safety remains a top priority. Boundary Revision of Shettihalli wildlife sanctuary okayed The Cabinet has approved a proposal to revise the boundaries of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary located across Shivamogga, Tirthahalli, and Hosanagara taluks of Shivamogga district, Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre announced on Thursday. Khandre said that the sanctuary was originally notified in 1974 with a designated area of 395.60 sq. km. The revision will now officially define the sanctuary's area as 396.165 sq. km, without reducing the original extent. The Minister explained that when the sanctuary was first declared in November 1974, it inadvertently included infrastructure and human settlements such as roads, bus stands, inhabited villages, patta lands, and areas earmarked for Sharavathi backwater rehabilitation. To resolve issues and reduce inconvenience to local residents, the Forest Department decided to revise the boundaries while maintaining ecological integrity. The proposal was sent to and has been approved by the National Board for Wildlife, clearing the path for formal re-notification of the revised limits. This update is expected to improve both wildlife protection efforts and community relations in the region, striking a balance between conservation and local development.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
Random search of single-use plastic items led to large seizures in JSR, many fined
Jamshedpur: The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) has launched a random survey and seizure drive against the supply, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the banned plastic items under its command areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In its two random inspections in the first week of July, the Swachhta Enforcement Squad (SES) of the municipal body has found that single-use plastic items are in wide circulation mostly among the footpath vendors and the grocery retailers. Single-use plastic carry bags are also in circulation among the vegetable and fruit sellers, besides readymade cloth vendors on the footpath of the Sakchi market, said city manager, Jyoti Punj, who is a member of the enforcement squad. Punj said grocery retailers in the Golmuri and Sakchi markets have been penalised for using the single-use plastic carry bags. The vendors operating food carts on the roadside were using the banned plastic spoons, plates, cups and crockery items for holding the food and serving it to the customers, he said in a warning to users of the banned item. "Apart from seizing the banned items, a penalty of Rs 75,000 has been imposed on the traders for the violation of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021," the city manager said. The official further said the traders have been warned that their trade and vendor licenses would be suspended if they were found violating the rules a second time. He also said the SES, comprising revenue and sanitation officials, besides the city managers, are focusing on the awareness aspect so that the customers and buyers are encouraged to say no to the prohibited items. "The use of prohibited plastic carry bags has visibly come down but to achieve zero net use, we need total cooperation of the people, including the traders and the buyers," he added. Other JNAC officials said Sakchi, Golmuri, Sidhgora and Kadma markets were on their radar as these places have a large number of grocery and vendor shops and draw customers in big numbers.
