Panaji: Aiming to obtain vendors and buyers accustomed to using alternatives for plastics, the Country Biodiversity Council of Goa State (GSBB) has distributed 15,000 cloth bags in different markets and among traditional vegetable sellers operating along the highway throughout the state.
10,000 other fabric bags in distribution.
While the voluntary organization previously made sporadic efforts to distribute fabrics and paper bags to sellers in the cross-country market, this was the first attempt by state institutions to provide alternative plastic bags.
The bag also has a ‘Clean Goa’ message printed on them.
“We often say that someone should not use a plastic bag, but vendors and buyers need to be displayed as an alternative.
So we decided to provide a cloth bag and start.
We distribute at least 10 to 20 bags for each vegetable seller along the highway.
We hope this Will increase awareness and start changes somewhere, “said Secretary of the GSBB Pradip Sarmokadam member.
Distribution has been carried out on the market in Vasco, Assonora, Mandrem and the Friday market in Mapapa, among others.
Cave bhagayatdar supermarket outlets are also provided with bags.
Traditional roadside vegetable sellers in Chandor, Velim, Ambaulim, Gudi Paroda and Cuncolim have received bags.
“The bags have been distributed by the Biodiversity Staff itself and we have got bags sewn by locals to provide ‘vocals for local’ encouragement,” Sarmokadam said.
Goa tries hard to curb plastic use.
The Ministry of State Environment must decide not to go down with iron hands on those who use plastic bags when they realize that without alternatives, prohibitions can prove counterproductive.
In the notification last year, the Ministry of Environment The Union began the process of prohibiting single plastic use throughout the country, starting with a ban on bags under 75 microns from September 30.
The complete ban will take effect from July 1, 2022.
To overcome plastic threats, biodiversity boards submit 15,000 fabric bags to vendors throughout Goa
