বাংলায় পড়ুন
Both the Central and the State governments have been promoting biodegradable products over the harmful non-biodegradable ones. Some states have even banned the use of plastic. In Kolkata, the Alipore Zoo came up with three stalls selling plates made of ‘Sal leaves’. Visitors come to the zoo for picnics throughout the year but winters are the pique season. People come here for picnics, naturally there will be food, which means using thermocol or plastic plates.
The change has been implicated since 1st January. People carrying thermocol plates are being banned at the gate only. Thermocol is an expanded form of polystyrene, which is a non-biodegradable material. The material takes hundreds of years to decompose and releases harmful and toxic gases when burnt.
The campaign is serving two purposes at the same time. Firstly, it will reduce the use of plastic and thermocol and secondly promoting and nurturing the villagers of West Midnapur who produce these plates. The tribal people collect sal leaves. The leaves are stitched together to form plates, which is done by the women of several households. This will surely encourage the city in using more environment-friendly products.
