With up to 400 kg of the non-biodegradable waste piling up at the Borivli forest per day, authorities plan to prohibit it in the park, say littering may invite Rs 20,000 fine with three-year jail term
With up to 400 kg of the non-biodegradable waste piling up at the Borivli forest per day, authorities plan to prohibit it in the park, say littering may invite Rs 20,000 fine with three-year jail term
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Fed up of rampant littering of plastic items by visitors, the authorities at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivli have decided to take offenders to task, either by levying a fine or invoking the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.
In fact, the forest authorities are considering outlawing polythene bags altogether inside the park.
"We have already undertaken awareness programmes on this issue. Now, if we see anyone tossing plastic junk, we will not only fine the offenders but also take legal action against them as per the Wildlife Protection Act.
The Act clearly states that any person littering or throwing plastic inside the forest is liable to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 at least and be imprisoned up to three years," said Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forests at SGNP.
Officials say that after he took charge, the laws are being implemented more strictly.
Limaye continued, "After taking charge as CCF, my first aim was to rid the park of the mess created by plastic items, thanks to visitors who litter.
In June, we formed groups solely for the purpose of picking up plastic bottles, gutkha pouches and polythene bags. On the very first day, we collected 600 kg of plastic. On weekends, it may go up to 300-400 kg a day."
Three 12-member teams have been formed to pick up the trash near Kanheri Caves, Lion Safari and other spots in the park.
"We are also planning to provide visitors with paper bags in which they may collect waste like empty bottles and plastic pouches," he said.
The CCF added that littering is rampant despite the provision of garbage cans inside the park.
Concerned that it may adversely affect the environment, the wildlife and the habitat, Limaye took the initiative to step up the drive against littering and also to raise awareness among visitors about simple measures like using dustbins.
At various places inside the park, forest guards have been deployed and access to the core area deep in the forest has been restricted for visitors, in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the SGNP will install a television at the park's entrance to show a 5-minute clip to visitors, informing them of the dos and don'ts in the park.
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