From Our Correspondent

MAWKYRWAT: With indiscriminate disposal of used plastic in various forms rampantly taking place in tourist spots as well as market places of South West Khasi Hills, District Magistrate Isawanda Laloo on Tuesday promulgated section 144 CrPC prohibiting the use of polythene with a thickness of less than 40 microns as one of the measures to curb the proliferation of plastic wastes in all tourist locations and destinations in the district.
The excessive use of plastic has been adversely reducing the scenic and aesthetic beauty of popular tourist landmarks within the district including Hotspring at Jakrem, Rilang View Point at Mawranglang, Iawpaw View Point and Mawtynhiang cave both located at Nongnah, Aqua Park at Photjaud, Stone Garden at Tynrong, Mawlangwir, Synrang Mawrin at Mawten, Ursngikyllut Fish Sanctuary at Rohbah and Phohrangkshu Eco Park at Nonglang.
The plastic menace may have a tendency to discourage incoming visitors thereby affecting the economy, generation of revenue and other income opportunities for both government and non-government agency as well as other private groups and individuals who are dependent directly or indirectly on tourism and may have a negative impact on the potential of South West Khasi Hills as an upcoming tourist destination.
Haphazard dumping of used plastic is in serious contravention to the various Environment Acts & Waste Management Rules of the Government of India with special reference to Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. In view of the urgency of the mater, this order was passed ex-parte.