Panaji: Village panchayats have been directed to ensure that Narkasur effigies do not contain or burn plastic and other hazardous non-biodegradable materials, following the environment department’s order prohibiting their use during celebrations.The directorate of panchayats has issued instructions to all block development officers (BDOs).“In a communication to all BDOs, the directorate has directed them to instruct panchayats to take necessary steps to ensure that the restrictions are followed and discourage the use of prohibited materials in Narkasur effigies,” panchayats director Sagun Velip told TOI.The move follows directions issued by the environment department a day earlier, asking the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), district collectors, panchayats and police to ensure that Narkasur effigies do not contain or burn plastic, rubber, thermocol, synthetic fabrics and other hazardous non-biodegradable materials.The directions have been issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to prevent air pollution caused by burning such materials during Narkasur celebrations.The GSPCB has warned that violations will invite penal action under the provisions of the Act.With the panchayat directorate’s intervention, village panchayats will play a key role in enforcing the restrictions at the local level, alongside the pollution control board and police, to ensure that traditional celebrations do not come at the cost of public health and the environment.
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