Beaches in Goa to be made free of plastic items

The Goa government is considering making the entire coastline in the state as a "plastic-free zone", the Legislative Assembly was informed today.

Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza, in a written reply tabled in the House, said the state is in the process of declaring all its beaches as plastic-free zones.

"The proposal for banning the use of plastic, especially on beaches and areas under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) by declaring them as a plastic-free zone, is under consideration," he said in response to a question by Isidore Fernandes (Congress).

Admitting his department is aware that plastic waste, PET bottles and tube lights are thrown in rivers/streams in Goa, the minister said the government has not conducted any study on environmental impact of such actions.

The move to make the state's coastline plastic-free comes after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the government will ban drinking of liquor in public places, including beaches.