Kaski. Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) has intensified market monitoring to discourage the use of artificial plastic garlands during the Tihar festival and to encourage locally produced natural garlands. Although the government has banned the production, import, sale and storage of plastic garlands, the KMC has intensified its monitoring campaign after it was found that such items were kept for sale in the market.

According to Manhar Kadariya, chief of the Economic Development Division of the metropolis, nine puja materials and Jhilinga shops in Bindhyabasini and Bagar areas of Pokhara Metropolitan City-1 and 2 were monitored. During the monitoring, plastic garlands, flowers and bakery decoration materials worth Rs 6,280 were destroyed.

“During the inspection, the banned materials were seized and destroyed after plastic garlands, unlabeled spices and coloured jalinga were found to be kept for sale. “,” said Mayor Kadariya. The metropolis has been conducting a campaign to stop the sale and distribution of plastic garlands for the last three years. This year too, a formal notice was issued urging the traders not to sell such items.

A monitoring team led by Deputy Mayor of KMC and Coordinator of Consumer Welfare Protection Committee, Manju Devi Gurung, cautioned the entrepreneurs to follow the existing laws and standards, maintain transparency in quality and price of goods and not to sell date-expired goods.

Deputy Mayor Gurung said that it is necessary to discourage the use and sale of plastic garlands as they increase environmental pollution. He said that the monitoring has been prioritized as the sale of such items may increase during the festival.

“We have encouraged the use of locally produced natural flowers as an alternative to artificial garlands. The metropolis is providing grants and other support to the farmers who cultivate flowers. We have been urging entrepreneurs and consumers to encourage domestic production. ” said Deputy Mayor Gurung.

The Ministry of Forest and Environment has published a notice in the gazette banning the production, import, sale, distribution and storage of plastic flower bunches. There is a provision of fine as per the section of the Act if anyone works against this provision. Pokhara Metropolitan City has said that it will continue the market monitoring in the coming days for environmental protection, consumer welfare and encouragement of local flower farmers.