Nepalgunj, Oct 22 : Kohalpur municipality of Banke district has banned the use of plastic flowers and garlands in the wake of Tihar and Chhath festivals.
Chief administrative officer at
Kohalpur municipality, Man Bahadur Giri, has issued a notice informing public
that plastic flowers were banned for distribution and sales in the local
level.
The artificial flowers made of
plastic cause adverse effect on human health and pollute environment, he said,
adding that local level was strongly against the use of such deleterious
matters.
Moreover, Giri informed that the
artificial flowers were also hampering the sales of florists. Local business of
flowers is badly impacted due to the market flooding of plastic flowers, he
argued.
The traders were also made aware
not to sell such artificial items. Such flowers are largely imported from
India.
The marigold, godawari, makhamali
and other flowers are produced locally by the farmers at different places in
the district.
The Ministry of Forest and
Environment had decided to ban various plastic made items in line with Section
15 (6) Environment Protection Act, 2076. However, it is not abided by fully nor
the monitoring enforced strictly.
Tikapur municipality of Kalali
district has also requested everyone not to use plastic flowers and garlands.
Tikapur municipality issued a notice, urging all sides to ban the use of
plastic flowers. The farmers and traders of flowers witness a dent in the
businesses with the market intrusion of plastic garlands and it is harmful to
human health and an environment pollutant.
Chief administrative officer Daman
Singh Chaudhari informed that none would be allowed to buy and sell the plastic
made flowers and garlands during the Tihar and Chhath festivals in Tikapur.
Anyone violating the diktat would be booked, he warned.
With the local level's decision,
the florists have been happy. There are more than a dozen of flower
entrepreneurs in Kailali. As the flowers wilted after the market was flooded
with artificial flowers last year, the florists threw away the flowers in
protest.
A florist Chhatra Malla said,
"We incurred huge loss last year. The garlands readied for sale did not
get value. But this year, the local government came up with a welcome decision,
which must be enforced effectively." If the import of plastic items is
banned, it would foster floriculture and associated business, he underlined.
Similarly, a customer Rabina Bista
said those trading flowers were facing loss owing to plastic items. Recent
decision of the local level is the most welcomed move, she observed. (RSS)