Kulgam administration enforces strict ban on single use plastic and polythene bags

KULGAM, June 29 — The Office of the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam has issued a public notice reinforcing a strict ban on the manufacture, stocking, sale, distribution, transportation, and use of single-use plastic items and polythene carry bags across the district.

According to the official document the indiscriminate use of these materials poses a serious threat to the environment, public health, and water bodies, while also choking drainage systems, disturbing wildlife, and causing ecological imbalance.The notice highlights that the government of Jammu and Kashmir has already prohibited these items under the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and the J&K Non-Biodegradable Material Act, 2007.

Furthermore, a recent Government of India notification dated May 18, 2026, delegated powers under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to District Collectors nationwide for a period of one year to supervise, administer, and implement Solid Waste Management Rules within their respective jurisdictions.

In line with these directives, the district administration has warned that all shopkeepers, vendors, wholesale dealers, retailers, institutions, government offices, and the general public must strictly comply with the prohibition.

To support this environmental initiative, the public is strongly advised to switch to eco-friendly alternatives such as cloth bags, jute bags, paper bags, and other sustainable materials.