Kottayam:TDB finds plastic ban unviable

Kottayam: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the forest department are locking horns over a total ban on plastics at shops in Sabarimala after the TDB refused to abide by the chief wildlife warden's order to implement it entirely and issue shop licenses only on this condition.

The row began after the forest department issued notices to shops to avoid plastic products including biscuit covers and liquid containers with a plastic coating.

A shop owner challenged this in the High Court maintaining that the TDB while issuing the license hadn't mentioned this in their tender.

The chief wildlife warden P.K. Keshavan had imposed a hefty fine on violators and asked the TDB to implement the ban strictly.

The Nov 11 order invoking section 33,33 (b), c and 4 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 said, "the (TDB) will ensure that none of their licensees authorised to set up shops in the forest land leased out at Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam keeps the plastic in whatever form. This will be insisted as a mandatory condition in the license. In case of any violation of the condition, the license should be cancelled forthwith."

But the HC allowed the two types of products this year since they are the main items for sale. The TDB said that though they have mentioned plastic products in general.

"We are of the view that biscuit packets and fruity drink containers should be sold at the shops till the end of this year since it comprises major stocks. However, the forest insists that their sale should not be allowed this time," N. Vasu, the Devaswom commissioner, told DC.

C.K. Haby, deputy director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve West division, said that they had levied a fine of Rs 2,000 on seven shops.

The HC in its July 23 order had also banned plastic at Sabarimala.