Prevent further pollution of Yamuna with plastic bags: High Court

New Delhi, Sep 21 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today directed the Delhi Government to take steps to prevent further pollution of the Yamuna river with plastic bags during the festive season of 'Navratra' and 'Dusshera'.

A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma asked the authorities to ''take steps to prevent further pollution of the Yamuna river keeping in view of the upcoming festivals''.

While hearing a PIL filed by Vinod Kumar Jain, the court directed the authorities that the Delhi Plastic bags and Non-biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 2000 and further amendment to the Act in 2005 be implemented in totality, The petitioner prayed for direction to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Delhi Government, the Department of Law of Delhi Government and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to implement the Act for the use of bio-degradable plastic bags in the capital.

In view of the festivals, people would be throwing plastic bags containing 'religious wastes' along with the idols further polluting the holy river, prayed the petitioner.

The state government had made the use of bio-degradable plastic bags mandetory in five and four star hotels, Mother Dairy outlets, liquor shops, restaurants, eateries and shopping malls.

Counsel Sharbjit Sharma, appearing for the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, submitted that the biodegradable plastic bags be introduced in a phased manner in the Capital.

The bio-degradable plastic bags are not recyclable and are destroyed in natural process in one year.

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