Supreme Court bans Plastic in Pan Masala Sachets

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Dear All,
Sharing a piece of good news. The Hon'ble Supreme court has banned the use of plastic in pan masala sachets. Though the ban is done to remove the harmful affects of plastics on the consumers, it would help in reducing the impact on our wilderness areas as well.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

SC to ban use of plastic in pan masala sachets
Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNN, Dec 7, 2010, 12.52pm IST


NEW DELHI: In a major blow to gutka, pan masala and tobacco manufacturers, the Supreme Court on Tuesday banned the use of plastic material in sachets from March 1, 2011.

When the manufacturers pleaded that such an order will result in the closure of these industries, the apex court asked them to shift to eco-friendly sachets or close down.

The court said the decision will be better for the country.

The source article can be found here:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/SC-bans-use-of-plastic-in-pan-masala-sachets/articleshow/7058311.cms

[Prashanth Gokul Dwarapu]

This is good news indeed and though a small one, it is a step in the right direction. The use of plastic wherever possible has to be reduced by everyone and unless the government initiates bans on plastic use it will be very difficult to limit it.

Our National Parks should impose strict bans on visitors taking plastic bags and bottles inside the parks. We Indians find it very hard to let go of the habit of littering our surroundings wherever we are. In Corbett NP earlier this year I was sickened at the sight of plastic bottles and covers in the forest. To make the matters worse there was a shop selling snack items and bottled water inside the park.

These things have to be stopped in our PAs atleast.