A plastic-free city is probably quite far away, but this is a start – plastic-free Lalbagh. One thing that is a cause for distress at the park is the amount of litter that people careless dispose of everywhere. This, even after the provision of litter bins at frequent intervals. Civic sense has never been an Indian’s strong point and it will take some time for us to inculcate the habit.

This is something I received in my mailbox about a worthy initiative on this front.

Background: Lalbagh is a plastic-free zone. There are big announcements all over the park, which make this declaration. However, the reality is different and all kinds of plastic continue to be seen in the park. Visitors who use the park as a picnic area bring in plastic, which they leave behind as litter or use the bins to dispose the same. In addition during the flower festival and other occasions vendors are allowed to put up stalls in Lalbagh. Here tea/coffee or even different products are sold using disposable cups and plastic carry bags.

A joint initiative is being taken up by the Lalbagh authorities with KSPCB (Karnataka State Pollution Control Board) and NGO’s Development Alternatives & Saahas to bring a system into place which will implement the law strictly and effectively.

Creation of such a system will be a month long exercise in April from 01.04.07 – 30.04.07 with various activities conducted to highlight the ban. One of the action points in the agenda is the ‘check/policing’ at entrances.

Programme Plan:

An outline of the activity is given below.
Volunteer number: 3 per gate
Location: Entrances of Lalbagh (3 gates).
Time : 10 am to 12 pm & 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Reporting time : 9:45 pm for morning slot and 2:45 pm for afternoon slot
Dates : April 1, 7, 14, 21, 22, 30

Activities:
Till 10th of April –
• The volunteer is required to talk to the people entering the gate and inform them of the strict ban.A copy of the ban notice will be pasted at each gate entrance.
10th to 30th of April –
• Volunteer is required to carry on a check for plastic items as people enter the gate and refuse entry for poly bags and food wrapped in plastic items.
• Plastic bottles and thick quality polybags can be allowed with a reminder that littering will attract heavy fine.
• There will be bins placed at the entrances for discarded items from checking.
• In case of food items like chips /etc. volunteers will be briefed on the days of inspection as to how to handle them.
• In case people need to carry their wares inside they should be encouraged to buy paper covers/ cloth bags and other alternatives from a nearby desk manned by the volunteers.

NOTE:
– Volunteers will be briefed thoroughly before the activity begins.
– They are required to bring their bottle of drinking water and take the same back with them when they leave the premises.
– Volunteers will be provided with badges before the activity begins and the badge must be returned at the entrance counters once the days checking is over.