Mangaluru: Taking serious note of the visual pollution in the city, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to book criminal cases against those who put up flex boards, plastic banners and buntings.
Though the Swacha Mangaluru concept already exists and measures have been taken to keep the surroundings clean, people put up flex, banners, buntings, hoardings, cut-outs, signboards and hoardings during the festive seasons. These banners and buntings are usually put up at major junctions, disfiguring the area.
This practice is seen more during Nagara Panchami, Ganesha Chowthi, Krishnashtami, Mangaluru Dasara and other festivals. During national festivals also, some prominent party leaders and elected representatives put up banners wishing the people on these occasions. If some state or national leaders visit the district, then the local leaders put up banners to welcome them. Such practices cause visual pollution in the city.
In order to prevent this from continuing, the MCC has issued a circular directing the revenue officials to strictly enforce the plastic ban and the provisions under the Karnataka Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act. This decision was taken to keep the city plastic-free. The MCC will also launch a drive against such banners and buntings in the city shortly.
MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer informed that criminal cases will be booked against those who put banners and buntings in the city under the pretext of inviting or wishing the people on festivals or events.
