KATHMANDU, JULY 30

The Government of Nepal has imposed a complete ban on the production, import, sale or distribution and storage of plastic bouquets, flowers and garlands.

The ban came into effect following the notification published by the Ministry of Forests and Environment in the Nepal Gazette on July 29. 'The MoFE has decided to impose a complete ban on the production, import, sale or distribution of plastic bouquets, flowers and garlands in line with Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 2019,' reads the notification.

As per the act, the Government of Nepal may, by a notification inthe Nepal Gazette, determine necessary standards for the mitigation or doing away with the impacts of pollution emitted from any motor vehicle, device, equipment, industrial enterprise, hotel, restaurant or other places or goods or activity or effects from the disposal or emission of any hazardous substance.

The act also says that if a person or organisation commits any act contrary to the rules framed under the Act, the offender may be punished with a fine up to Rs 300,000.

The MoFE informed that the ban would not only stop the import of decorative materials made of plastic worth Rs 10 crore annually, but also help reduce the environmental degradation caused by such no-biodegradable items.

The decorative materials made of plastic are mostly imported from China. Officials said the move would also encourage domestic farmers to engage in floriculture and help them get market in the country. It is also expected to pose a challenge to meet the demand for natural flowers, which was virtually substituted by plastic items in houses, hotels and business centres.

People also use plastic flowers in various events and festivals like Tihar. Plastic flowers used to come in various forms and hues and looked more real than the natural ones. Due to the fact that they lasted for a long time, people were largely inclined to use them for decorative purpose.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 31, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.