Enemy No. 1 in Delhi: plastic bags?
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under notes, photography
Plastic bags, a bigger threat than bears
But seriously, plastic bags are considered a huge environmental menace by many officials, environmental activists and an increasing number of ordinary people. They can be especially hazardous in a country that has more than a billion people and less aversion to litter.
Stories pop up from time to time of major floods and outbreaks of disease being caused by plastic bags clogging drains and sewers. Look along railways, in parks, gutters, streams, zoos, markets, potholes, lakes, EVERYWHERE: discarded plastic bags.
It should be noted that, culturally, Indians use plastic bags in more ways than in the West. For example, takeout from many restaurants — whether soup, noodles, curry or just a sandwich — often comes individually wrapped in a plastic bag rather than any tupperware or paper.
India already has a ban on super thin plastic bags, but some states have much more stringent rules, leading to a revival of jute and canvas bags from Sikkim to Goa.
In Connaught Place, Delhi’s tourist/Western Mecca where the above photo was taken, many stores have finally started using paper bags. (Though I’d also note that if the entire country switched to paper, there might be different environmental problems.)
Tags: connaught place, delhi, environment, india, photography, plastic bags
One Response to “Enemy No. 1 in Delhi: plastic bags?”
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Royal Says:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:53 amMaybe plastic bags could be used instead of the left hand?
