Odisha to Ban Single-Use Plastic Inside Sanctuaries, National Parks and Tiger Reserves

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has ordered ban of single-use plastic inside the sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves of the State.

The order will come into effect from April 1 this year, informed Susanta Nanda, Principal CCF (WL) & Chief Wildlife Warden.

“In exercise of power conferred U/S 33(C) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972, it is hereby ordered that, entry of single-use plastic shall be prohibited inside Sanctuaries/ National Park/ Tiger Reserves of the State with effect from 1st April, 2024”, the order reads.

Alternate drinking water facilities will be provided for the tourists at different places inside the Protected Areas and refundable plastic water bottles may be provided for them at the entry points if they so desire. Visitors carrying food items in plastic wraps shall be advised to dispose of the wraps in designated places, garbage bins etc and not to litter the Protected Areas.

All the plastic garbage generated from visitors sources, camps, nature camps and other places inside the Protected Areas shall be disposed off in accordance with existing guidelines and local Panchayats/Urban Bodes may be consulted in this respect, the order stated.