In an environment friendly measure, the administration has decided to ban use of polythene bags across Koraput district from May 5.
"This is a small step to protect the environment and health of the people as polythene bags below 40 microns are very harmful for health and causes many diseases, including cancer, said Koraput Collector Jaya Kumar V.
The administration has asked shopkeepers, polythene bag suppliers and local residents to shun use of polythene bags, he said.
The collector said for the next one month awareness would be created with the help of loudspeakers, posters and pamphlets against use of polythene bags.
Also, the local administration would hold meetings with traders and businessmen of respective urban areas to urge them not to use polythene bags.
The progamme will succeed only with the participation of stakeholders. Volunteers will be roped in and special squads formed in urban areas which will conduct raids on business establishments to ensure that no polythene bags are used, he said.
Lightweight plastic which is below 40 microns can fly around, choke drains, trap birds and kill livestock apart from causing serious health hazards among human beings, he added.
The district magistrate has also asked stakeholders to use biodegradable bags like those made of paper. Awareness will be created for one month and polythene bags in circulation in markets will be seized after that and violators fined, the collector said.
