Big 'Ban' from October 2

Groundbreaking inventions by humans have sometimes ended up creating Frankenstein's. Plastic falls into that list. It does not dissolve in the earth. It will remain there as a threat to the soil, humans, and animals. The low cost and ease of use have made plastic unavoidable in all parts of the world. Despite a persona non grata, plastic is unofficially a useful guest in every home. Things went beyond proportion to a dangerous level after drinking water companies started providing their product in plastic bottles. After use, these bottles are not carefully disposed of but are thrown away at whim by people.

Nobody is going to frown or furrow their eyebrows, as people have imbibed the culture of throwing plastic bottles on the roadside in India. Only a few may take offence.

For years, plastic was the 'main villain' character at weddings and funerals. Banning plastic use without banning its manufacture is a futile exercise. It is also not possible to ban its manufacture all at once. Lakhs of people earn their living by manufacturing, distributing and selling it. Instead of banning it, research should be done to find new types of plastic that decompose in the earth. There were reports that a type of plastic that dissolves in salt water was discovered in Japan. This can turn into a sensation if the cost is low. Ambiguity looms over the topic.

Therefore, considering the pertinent need to impose restrictions on single-use plastic, the High Court issued an order banning single-use plastic in ten crowded hill tourist destinations, wedding auditoriums, hotels, and restaurants. Plastic water bottles below five litres, plastic soft drink bottles below two litres, and plastic plates, knives, and spoons have also been banned. The ban will come into effect from the next Gandhi Jayanti, October 2. Plastic food containers, bakery boxes and similar products are also banned in tourist destinations. Since the case regarding non-woven bags above 60 GSM is in court, the ban does not apply to them.

Without waiting for the bans to come into place, people can prudently cut short the use of plastics in these locations. Although earthenware is a good alternative, the high costs and weight raise concerns. Strict implementation of this High Court verdict will ensure that tourist destinations will change for good.