Panaji, Jul 25 (IANS): The state government is looking to amend the Goa Non Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, for banning single use of plastic in the coastal state, Goa Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral told the legislative Assembly on Thursday.

"The Department of Environment has proposed an amendment to Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, for banning single use of plastic. This has been vetted by the Law Department and elected to the place before legislative assembly in this session," Cabral said, in his written reply tabled during the ongoing monsoon session of the House.

Cabral was responding to a question from BJP MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar.

Goa has been battling the issue of garbage strewn in public areas, including its beaches, due to the paucity of garbage management mechanisms. Travel and tourism industry stakeholders have complained to the Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, claiming the burgeoning garbage menace was discouraging tourists from visiting Goa.

Goa is one of the most popular beach tourism destinations in the country.