Government of Pakistan should learn from Bangladesh where Appellate Division of Supreme Court has ordered the mandatory use of jute sacks for packaging rice to provide the needed support to the country’s jute sacks industry against those of plastic or polythene packaging. The country is even providing seven per cent cash subsidy on the export of jute products.
Ironically, here in Pakistan, government itself is engaged in procuring polypropylene bags for food grain storage despite the fact jute is considered as the best option for the storage of wheat and other grains globally as its natural fibers do not affect the quality of grains and protect them from sunlight and heat. Jute bags also offer multiple reuse capability which can prove beneficial in situation where Pakistan is acutely lacking proper bulk handling facilities. Moreover, recycling jute doesn’t emit cancerous oxide in the atmosphere like poly bags. It is due to this fact recycling of polypropylene bags is prohibited in the European countries.
Promulgating a similar mandatory order in Pakistan will mitigate the risk of contamination and environmental damages that are associated with the usage of plastic packaging besides earning green credit to the country. Furthermore, such a decision will also generate more employment opportunities in the jute industry which is at present supporting more than 125,000 people directly and indirectly.
FAREED A SIDDIQI
Karachi
It's a good news..
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