Civil society and people movements from across Himachal issued an appeal for no use of flexi plast banners in Election 2024
We, on behalf of concerned civil society organizations, people’s movements in struggle, NGOs and
the stakeholder community of Himachal Pradesh humbly submits this representation to draw
your kind attention to a matter of utmost public importance – the proliferation of Plastic Flexi
banners and hoardings within our State. We earnestly seek your intervention and support to
address this pressing issue in the interest of environmental preservation, effective plastic waste
management, public safety, and the overall enhancement of our cherished public spaces.
Background:
Plastic Flexi banners are toxic polluters as they are not recycled and they are non-degradable
plastic waste. The unchecked use of Poly Vinyl (PV) Plastic Flexi Boards, specifically Plastic
Flexi banners and hoardings have raised grave concerns within our community. We firmly
believe that their extensive use contradicts the provisions outlined in the Environment Protection
Act of 1986, the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016, and the fundamental right to a clean
and safe environment guaranteed under Articles 21 and 48-A of the Constitution of India.
The Problem:
Plastic Flexi banners/boards are being erected without due authorization in public areas, such as
roadsides, telephone poles, public walls, and even trees, defacing our public spaces. The
materials employed in creating these Plastic Flexi sheets, banners, buntings, and hangings
predominantly consist of non-degradable plastics, which have a detrimental impact on the
environment by contributing to non-biodegradable waste. The material used for creating the
Plastic Flexi sheets banners, buntings, hangings, etc., are plastic-related items that cause
irreparable damage to the environment.
Plastic Flexi banners are made up of polypolyvinyl chloride, which causes serious environmental
and health hazards like cancer and infertility. The presence of chlorine in PVC makes its
hazardous nature more intense. The burning of PVC releases toxic gases like dioxins (tetra
through octa-chlorinated dibenzo para dioxins) and furans (tetra through octa-chlorinated
dibenzofurans) into the atmosphere.
As there is no mechanism to control the usage of Plastic Flexi boards, their numbers are increasing
day by day, and all the public places are now filled with Plastic Flexi boards. Sometimes, the
Plastic Flexi boards are also used for displaying personal achievements.
Further, your attention is drawn towards:
Defacement and dis-figuration of the beauty of our State by planting illegal and
unauthorized Plastic Flexi posters, Plastic Flexi banners, Plastic Flexi hoardings, buntings
etc., and leaving the same, without removal in the public property after their purpose is
over.
Drawing of cables through electric posts and the public roads in an undisciplined
and tangled manner, thereby causing a threat to human life and also leaving unused and
old cables in the post itself, without removing the same by those who lay the cables.
Successful Precedents:
Acknowledging the indiscriminate use and environmental harm caused by the PVC flex banners,
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Government of India
has already banned such banners in its Order date 9 th March 2020 “Regarding the ban of the use of
Flexi” is used for short-term purposes in government institutions.
Indian cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune, have taken measures to ban or restrict the
use of Plastic Flexi banners due to concerns about environmental impact, visual pollution, and
safety hazards. For example, Chennai imposed a ban on Plastic Flexi banners in 2018.
Indian states like Kerela, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Maharashtra have introduced Bans and
statewide regulations regarding Plastic Flexi banners. These states have implemented stricter
rules governing the use of Plastic Flexi banners in 2019, including provisions for fines and
penalties for non-compliance.
Plastic Flexi banners should be banned for several reasons:
- Hazardous Material: Plastic Flexi, is the most environmentally hazardous consumer
material ever produced. In the process of its manufacture, toxic gases are produced. It is a
nonbiodegradable material, cannot be recycled, and therefore, of no resale value. The two
sources for putting an end to the used Plastic Flexi are either to burn or to bury underneath
the soil. If it is burnt, it will release highly toxic chlorine, dioxins and furan, which are
carcinogenic, means any substance, radionuclide, of radiation that is an agent directly in
causing cancer. On the other hand, if it is buried to the soil, the toxins will enter into the
water by leaching. - Visual Pollution: The widespread use of Plastic Flexi banners leads to visual pollution in
public spaces. Excessive signage and advertising clutter streets and diminish the aesthetic
appeal of city and is an antithesis to the beautification of Shimla project. - Safety Concerns: Plastic Flexi banners, when not installed properly, can pose safety
hazards. They may fall or become dislodged during adverse weather conditions, potentially
causing accidents or injuries. Most of the banners are just left lying around in the open or
thrown in the water streams significantly adding to the plastic waste problem and impacting
the Health and environment of the residents/citizens. - Resource Consumption: The production of Plastic Flexi banners consumes significant
resources, including energy and raw materials. Banning or regulating their use can help
conserve resources and reduce energy consumption. - Aesthetic Value: Banning Plastic Flexi banners can contribute to the overall aesthetic value
of public spaces, making them more visually pleasing and inviting for residents and visitors. - Encouraging Alternatives: Banning Plastic Flexi banners can encourage the use of more
sustainable and environmentally friendly advertising alternatives, such as digital signage or
eco-friendly materials.
This representation seeks the following: - Removal of Unauthorized Advertising Boards: This representation requests to order
the removal of unauthorized advertising Plastic Flexi boards, Plastic Flexi hoardings,
arches, flags, buntings, and other structures from public roads and streets. Plastic Flexi
banners erected without proper authorization.
As per the law, the local bodies are bound to remove the unauthorised hoardings and
advertisement boards installed in their local limits. Since the majority of Plastic Flexi boards
are put up by the political parties and its leaders, the local bodies are maintaining lethargy in
the matter. Therefore, it is prayed that necessary directions be issued to all the Municipal
Corporations, ULBs, Local Self Government Institutions, to remove all the unauthorised
Plastic Flexi boards installed in their local limits.
- Eco-friendly material: Direction may be given to ensure that only eco-friendly materials
are used for the purpose of advertisement in the Shimla city/State.A number of alternate
options to use of plastic are available such as compostable plastics, recycled paper material,
cloth banners, lightweight textile fabrics, wrinkle-resistant wrap knit, natural-fibre based
sandwich boards, resin-infused papers, particle boards, etc. which have a lesser,
environmental impact. Such materials need to be promoted as a, sustainable and
environmentally sound management practice. - Ban the use of Plastic Flexi for Advertisements/campaigns: Direction be given to ban the
use of Plastic Flexi boards throughout the state and include it under the list of banned Single
Use Plastic Notifications issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. Ban encourages
people to find alternative and eco-friendly materials to fight the plastic pollution in the state.
Plastic Flexi banners are typically made of polyvinyl chloride a non-biodegradable plastic
material. When these banners are disposed of improperly, they do not decompose and
contribute to environmental pollution. They can release toxic chemicals into the
environment, posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. It is prayed that the use of
Plastic Flexi for advertisement and campaign purposes needs to be immediately banned as
has already been done by some other states. - No Advertisement on Trees: while according permission for the erection of hoardings and
billboards for advertisement that no damage, injury or harm shall be made/happened to the
trees when trees are used for advertisement”. The local authorities or any other statutory
authorities may not be permitted to affix or display any hoarding/advertisement on the trees
either by using nails or any other form.The hoardings and advertisement boards which are
nailed into trees be removed immediately and those who contravene the condition be liable
for penalty. - Recovery of Expenses: To recover the expenses incurred for the removal of these
unauthorized structures from the individuals or companies responsible for erecting them. - Compliance with Regulations: Issue directions to the relevant authorities and government
departments to ensure compliance with Plastic Waste Management rules and other
regulations governing the placement of advertising boards and arches in public streets and
places. - Safety Measures: To take measures to ensure road safety by examining whether the boards
and arches are erected scientifically and without obstructing drivers’ views. All
the unauthorized arches, display boards, hoardings, placards, and banners with poles or
frames, etc., fixed to and/or dug into the ground, which abuts the highways, public streets,
and pedestrian pavements, shall forthwith be removed. No poles frames or structures for
arches, boards, placards, hoardings, display boards or banners shall be erected on any
highway, public road, public passage pedestrian pathway, or pavement. Holes caused on
pavements and roads, because of the erection of frames, poles, structures, placards, hoardings,
displaying boards, banners, etc., shall forthwith be repaired.
- Protection of Public Property: Individuals or organizations responsible for placing
advertisements and structures on public roads should also bear the responsibility of
removing them after their purpose is fulfilled. - Safeguarding Cleanliness: The indiscriminate use of plastic and Plastic Flexi boards results
in pollution and waste management problems. The local bodies and authorities are bound by
rules and regulations to remove unauthorized hoardings and advertisement boards within
their jurisdictions. - Further, implement the directions given by the Division Bench of the Hon’ble High Court of
Himachal Pradesh. - Municipal Corporations, Secretaries of the ULBs, and Panchayats may be directed to take
steps to identify and remove unauthorized hoardings, banners, Plastic Flexi boards,
temporary arches, posters, and other similar structures. - The Commissioner of Police/District Police Chief, to provide necessary assistance to the
Highways Authority under Sections 44 and 15(2) of the Act, 1999 for removal of the
unauthorized hoardings, advertisement boards, and displays, endangering road safety and
causing environmental pollution.
THE SIMLA COLLECTIVE
Himlok Jagriti Manch
Himalaya Bachao Samiti Kamla, Chamba
Himalya Nti Abhiyaan
BGVS
Save Lahaul Spiti, Lahaul & Spiti
All India Kisan Sabha
Hangrang Sangarsh Samiti, Kinnaur
Gujjar Samaj evam Kalyan Sabha, Chamba
Spiti Civil Society, L&
Zila Van Adhikar Sangarsh Samiti, Kinnaur
Van Adhikar Manch, Chamba
Sirmaur Van Adhikar Manch, Sirmaur
People’s campaign for Socioeconomic Equity in the Himalaya, Kangra
Himachal Nagarik Sabha, Mandi
Desh ki Baat Foundation, Bilaspuत
Right Foundation, MandI
CPI, Himachal Pradesh
Samajsevi,Mandi
HP MNTREGA v Nirman evam Sarv kamgar Sangathan
Bhumi Adhigrahan Parbhavit Manch
Lok Krishi Vaigyanik, Karsog, Mandi
All India Gujjar Mahasabha, Chamba
Himalayan Student Ensemble, Himachal
Himdhara Environment Research and Action Collective, Himachal Pradesh;
Sahara Kullu
Van Adhikar evam gramin viaks Sangathan Kullu
HP Ghumantu pashupalak Sabha Baijnath
Brahma Kumari Association Shimla
Sarvjan Sarankashan Samiti Sundernagar
Him Lok Jagriti Manch
HGVS
Hotel Association Tirthan valley
Gramin Bhakhra Visthapit SamitI
Van Adhikar evam Gramin Vikas Sangthan Gohar
Renuka Bandh Sangharsh Samiti Gramin Bhakhra Visthapit Samiti
Van Adhikar evam Gramin Vikas Sangthan Gohar
Renuka Bandh Sangharsh Samiti
Councilor MC Mandi
Tirthan conservation society
Youth for Himalaya
People for Himalayan development
Action for Barrier free handicapped Integration
SUTRA, Solan
Chetna Kendra Saho Chamba
PAPN Sirmour
People for Himalayan Development
Nirankari Mission Himachal Pradesh
Jagruk Kullu, Swasth Kulu
Green New Shimla Society Shimla
Tandi Bandh Sangarsh Samiti
People Voice for Democratic Rights
,Jispa bachao Andolan Lahual& Spiti
Young Tandi Club Lahaul & Spiti
Him Parivesh Sangathan Nalagarh
AIKS HP state unit
– VNCS – Nagpur
Pangi Paryavaran Sangharsh Samiti Pangi
Ekal Nari Shakti Sangathan HP
Human Development Organization Simla
Jagori Palampur.
