News & Pic: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

Bantwal, May 7: Vittal gram panchyat has taken a decision to implement a total ban on the use of plastic in its jurisdiction, at a time when the town council and taluk panchayat are issuing mere statements in this regard.

The gram panchayat has issued a circular banning all plastic that is less than forty microns with effect from June. Ira gram panchayat in Bantwal taluk made an impact at the national level for bringing about
people’s awareness regarding the clean village concept.

Most of the gram panchayats in the taluk have bagged awards under the clean village project in the past, but it seems the local residents in these villages have gone back to their habits. The picture in this
report, which was shot in Kalladka in Goltamajalu gram panchayat located beside the national highway, proves this.

These gram panchayats who made their mark by providing toilet facilities are lacking cleanliness now. The cleanliness and hygiene is not to be seen anymore. The state funds to create awareness on the
plastic menace are not being well-utilized by most of gram panchayats in the taluk.

Bantwal town council, which has been finding ways to manage plastic and garbage since 2009, has not seen any significant success so far.

It lacks a dump yard to dispose off the garbage generated in places under its jurisdiction, due to controversy over the proposed landfill at Kanchinadkapadav.

The garbage is being dumped near the busy B C Road roundabout, wherein the court and bus stand are located, spreading stink in the locality. If the town council takes lead from Puttur and Sullia town
panchayats which have allowed only lesser microns of plastic, the amount of garbage generated will drop significantly.