New Delhi, October 2: Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel on Wednesday announced a prohibition on the use of single-use plastics inside historical monuments and the areas falling within 100 metres of their vicinities. The announcement came shortly after reports confirmed that the Centre has shelved off the plan to ban six single-use plastic items from October 2, 2019 -- which marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Single-use plastics will not be allowed inside monuments and within 100 metres of them," Prahlad Patel said, while addressing the media after launching the tourism fair 'Paryatan Parv' in the national capital. No Nationwide Ban on Single-Use Plastic Yet, 'Swachhata Hi Seva' All About Making People Aware.

The government had initially planned to ban the sale and usage of plastic plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets in effect from today. The plan, however, was shelved off fearing backlash from an already struggling industrial sector.

Single-Use Plastics to be Banned Inside Monuments

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave a clarion call to shun single-use plastic while urging citizens to take an initiative to make this a mass movement.

After flagging off the party's 'Sankalp Yatra' to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Shah, along with Delhi BJP leaders, undertook a 'padyatra' for 500 metres amid tight security.

Before participating in the foot march, the BJP president in a meeting highlighted the perils of single-use plastic, saying it takes nearly 400 years for the plastic to degrade.

Shah said even animals are adversely affected due to single-use plastic. "It is the responsibility of BJP workers and people of country to make it a mass movement. Single-use plastic is dangerous to the country and the world," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2019 08:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).