Madikeri: Madikeri Municipal Corporation has banned the use and sale of arecanut plates, paper cups and paper plates in its limits. The authorities informed the traders by distributing copies of the order to them.As per the order of the Municipal Corporation Management Board and the municipal commissioner, the use of paper cups, containers, arecanut plates, 1/4, 1/2, 1 litre water bottles and paper plates has been restricted. Municipal employees on Saturday were seen distributing copies of the order to educate the traders.However, the public and traders have expressed their anger over the ban on arecanut plates, paper plates and cups. Areca leaves and paper cups, which decompose in the soil, are mostly used in festivals in temples, public and govt programmes, and sports events, and are also disposed of properly, they argue.Kodagu district chamber of commerce vice-president Naveen Ambekal said, “Madikeri city municipal corporation administration is taking decisions pertaining to Madikeri limits. However, people who come to Madikeri from other places are likely to bring these materials from outside without any restrictions. Then it can be used in private functions inside their premises which cannot be stopped by CMC.“ The CMC is taking such decisions without consulting the district administration. If such bans are implemented for the whole district, there will not be any problem, he stated.Regarding the earlier orders by CMC to ban the use of plastic bottles, they couldn’t be implemented properly, he claimed. “Even the tourists visiting Madikeri are likely to bring plastic bottles from outside which cannot be restricted fully. Moreover, use of plastic materials is allowed in villages within 2 km radius of Madikeri. The decision to impose a ban only in Madikeri will not serve the actual purpose,” he said.
