According to the press release published by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, the monitoring teams deployed at Asan, Lalitpur and Kalimati areas have seized 200 kilograms of plastic bags from 23 different plastic bag wholesalers.
At Asan, 165 kilograms of plastic bags were seized from seven shops. Likewise, 25 kilograms of such plastics were confiscated from five shops in Lalitpur area and 10 kilograms from two shops in Kalimati area.
In addition to that, monitoring teams stationed at Pharping, Thankot and Sanga check posts also seized another 200 kilograms of plastic bags.
"We went directly to the wholesalers and seized all the plastic bags that measured lower than the prescribed thickness. We were expecting to seize more plastic bags. May be the shopkeepers hid such bags before we arrived," said Chemist at MoSTE, Devi Bhandari.
He had led the monitoring team including police officers at Bhakunde and Bhedasingh area of Asan.
In a similar manner, monitoring team had carried out raids at Prayag Pokhari area of Lagankhel and shops near Kailimati vegetable market area.
"This time, we seized plastic bags in lesser quantity compared to the previous raid. Many locals even came forward to support our drive against plastic bags," said Teeka Pokharel, Senior Divisional Chemist at Department of Environment (DoE).
Meanwhile, despite the ban on sales and use of plastic bags, many people were seen carrying goods in plastic bags openly. Deputy Director General at DoE, Rup Narayan Bhattarai, who is leading the whole monitoring mechanism, defended the work of his team. "In order to stop the use and sales of plastic bags, we need to first deter the wholesalers. Only then we should target individual users," said Bhattarai.
According to him, shopkeepers who were found selling or using plastic bags will need to visit DoE and give clarification.
Going by the law, people can be fined Rs 50,000 and jailed for two years or both if found of possessing substandard plastic bags. "We want to start in a soft manner and gradually take stern actions," said Pokharel.
Sales and use of plastic bags inside the Kathmandu Valley is prohibited, except for plastic bags measuring more than 40 micron. However, outside the valley, the use of plastic bags above 30 micron thick will be allowed.
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