Plastic is dangerous: Chief Justice

Appreciating the absolute ban on plastic by the Chandigarh administration, the Chief Justice observed: 8220;We will not like to ban use of polythene by way of a judicial order. If the Chandigarh Administration decides to remove plastic from the roads of City Beautiful, why should we bring it back? We don8217;t want to stay the ban. It is very well advised by the Chandigarh Administration8221;.

Observing that polythene is dangerous for human beings, the Chief Justice said that polythene is unpleasant, unpopular and not bio-degradable.

Admitting the petition filed by few industries challenging the absolute ban over use of polythene in Chandigarh, the Chief Justice held that it was a serious matter.

8220;There is no organised method for collecting these polythene bags. The idea behind increasing the thickness of polythene bag in Delhi was to help the ragpickers, so that they can pick it up and earn some money by giving it for recycling,8221; said Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur.

On the other hand, counsel for the industrialists averred that such an absolute ban on those units which are in the business of manufacturing plastic. The counsel further highlighted that a large quantity of eatables and milk products are supplied in plastic packing. 8220;This is an experiment that the Chandigarh Administration wants to do. Let them try it. They might reconsider it as well,8221; held the Chief Justice.

However, Justice Thakur asked senior standing counsel for UT Administration, Anupam Gupta to make alternative arrangements such as jute bags etc for packing of eatables and milk products.

Meanwhile, strongly advocating the move of 8220;absolute ban on plastic8221;, a reply was filed by Ishwar Singh, IFS, Director Environment, Chandigarh Administration.

8220;The challenge to the ban is actuated and motivated purely by business considerations. The ban has been imposed by the Administration as a matter of conscious policy, in the interests of the present and future generations, in order to protect the environment and prevent its degradation and is eminently in public interest.8221;

The changing lifestyle of the people and growing consumerism have added considerably to the pressure on the environment. An increased use of polythene bags is a part of this changing lifestyle. This is particularly true in the case of Chandigarh which has the highest per capita income in the country.

The ban on polythene is a conscious and considered policy decision to protect the environment and is both remedial and anticipatory in nature, reads the reply.