Haryana to observe 2008 as 'Eco-friendly Year'

Chandigarh, Jan 4 (UNI) The Haryana Government would observe 2008 as the 'Eco-friendly Year,' Minister of State for Environment and Forests Kiran Choudhry has said.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, she said considering the major focus of the world on environment, it was felt that Haryana should also contribute for a better environment.

She said the State Government's decision to ban the use of plastic carry bags with thickness less than 30 microns was a step towards saving earth from hazardous effluents.

Ms Choudhry said the plastic carry bags were creating environment degradation by clogging water channels and sewerage drains, causing interference with systems of water recharge of underground water and were also threat to health of animals that might eat the plastic along with other material.

She said the State Government would give one month's time to plastic carry bag manufacturers in the State to start manufacturing plastic carry bags of 30 microns thickness instead of 20 microns from the date of issue of notification.

UNI MA MMS YA RAI0938