The ban on single use plastic in Selangor also applies to religious items such as garlands used in Hindu ceremonies, said state executive councillor V. Ganapathi Rao.
Ganapathi said he stood by the state’s decision to ban plastic and urged the garland makers to follow the rules.
Traditionally, the garlands were prepared using natural fibres and not plastic strings or ropes.
Many garland makers now use natural fibres without any issue, so there would be no excuse for the few who refused to comply and they would not get his support, said Ganapathi.
Garlands are also burned during certain ceremonies and those tied with plastic strings can release unhealthy gases which can cause health problems such as breathing difficulties.
> Wildlife authorities in Tamil Nadu, India have removed 110 monkeys and 120 snakes from urban areas in just one week, Makkal Osai reported. Authorities started the campaign following numerous complaints in three densely populated districts –Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur.
Incidences of wild animals entering populated South Indian areas have been attributed to loss of natural habitat due to human activities.
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