CHITRAL/TIMERGARA: The use of polythene shopping bags has been banned in Chitral and Upper Dir districts.

Lower Chitral deputy commissioner Khurshid Alam Mehsud banned manufacture, storage, sale and use of non-biodegradable polythene bags in the territorial jurisdiction of the district for a period of 30 days.

In the order issued from the office of DC on Tuesday, it was said that the non-biodegradable polythene bags were a major cause of environmental pollution.

“There have been numerous complaints and instances of choking of sewerage drains due to plastic bags while these can create health hazards during the pre-monsoon rains and there are sufficient grounds for imposition of ban under section 144 of CrPC on the manufacturing, storage, sale and use of polythene bags,” the proclamation concludes.

Meanwhile, Lower Dir deputy commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai banned the manufacturing, import and distribution of polythene bags in the district.

He slapped the ban exercising powers under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The ban will remain in force for 30 days.

Mr Yousafzai told Dawn that violators of the ban would be punished under Section 188 of CrPC. He said polythene bags harmed people’s health and environment and choked drains during rains and floods damaging roads and other infrastructure.

The DC said the burning of polythene bags released harmful substances in the air. He said the government had decided to replace those bags with the environment-friendly ones.

Mr Yousafzai said the administration would strictly enforce the ban.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2019