Goa government prohibits plastic and toxic materials in Narkasur effigies
The state environment department has issued directions to prevent air pollution by banning the use of non-biodegradable materials in effigies.
The Goa state environment department has instructed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), police, collectors, and panchayats to ensure that Narkasur effigies are not made with or burnt using plastic and other non-biodegradable substances, according to The Times of India.
The department issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to prohibit the use of rubber, thermocol, synthetic fabrics, and other hazardous materials in the effigies. The GSPCB stated that any violations are punishable under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act.
The directorate of panchayats has also asked block development officers to instruct village panchayats to decrease the use of single-use plastics.
The department noted that burning polyvinyl chloride (PVC) found in banners and posters releases toxic fumes like dioxins and furans. The order stated that these toxins can accumulate in the ecosystem food chain, posing hazards to human health and the environment.
Government departments and corporations have been asked to reduce the use of disposable items such as PET water bottles, plastic folders, trays, and thermocol where alternatives exist. This follows an earlier order to crack down on the use of short-life PVC flex boards and posters in government offices.