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Shillong, July 8: East Khasi Hills District Magistrate has promulgated an order under Section 144 CrPC, prohibiting the use of polythene with a thickness of less than 50 microns as one of the measures to curb the proliferation of plastic wastes in all tourist spots, locations and destinations.

The prohibitory order was passed following reports that indiscriminate disposal of used plastic in various forms is rampantly taking place in tourist spots, locations and destinations within East Khasi Hills District resulting in an alarming accumulation of plastic wastes which is increasingly becoming an eyesore and a nuisance besides adversely reducing the scenic and aesthetic pristine beauty of popular tourist landmarks in the District.

“This has a tendency to discourage incoming tourists and other visitors thereby affecting the economy, generation of revenue and other income opportunities for Government and Non Government Agency (s) as well as other private groups and individuals who are dependent directly or indirectly on state tourism,” the order said.

Moreover, haphazard dumping of used plastic is in serious contravention of the various Environmental Protection Acts & Waste Management Rules of the Government of India with special reference to Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. This order came into force with immediate effect.