Coimbatore Temple Shop Loses Licence for Violating Plastic Ban
A shop operating at the Poondi Velliangiri Andavar Temple in Coimbatore has had its licence permanently cancelled after authorities discovered it was using banned plastic and polythene covers. The temple, situated at the foothills of the revered Velliangiri mountains, is currently experiencing a significant influx of pilgrims who are trekking the hills as part of their spiritual journey.
Environmental Concerns Drive Strict Enforcement
To prevent the accumulation of plastic waste on the ecologically sensitive hills and to safeguard the natural environment, the Forest Department, along with dedicated volunteers, has been maintaining a rigorous round-the-clock vigil. Their primary objective is to enforce environmental regulations strictly and ensure compliance from all stakeholders.
Several shops at the temple foothills are leased out to private individuals by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. These establishments have been explicitly instructed to avoid plastic items entirely in their operations.
Raids and Repeated Violations Lead to Action
Following multiple complaints that some shops were disregarding the plastic ban, temple executive officer Sakthivel and Boluvampatti forest ranger K Jayachandran conducted a surprise raid a few days ago. During this inspection, they found one particular shop selling pooja products in banned plastic covers, a clear violation of the established rules.
Temple authorities subsequently issued two formal notices to the shop owner for using polythene bags, but the owner failed to respond or rectify the issue. Due to this non-compliance, the authorities took decisive action on Saturday by cancelling the shop's licence outright.
Warning Issued to Other Shops
A source close to the matter confirmed that a strict warning has been issued to all other shops operating in the area, cautioning them against using banned polythene bags. This move underscores the authorities' commitment to environmental protection and their zero-tolerance policy towards violations that threaten the hill's ecosystem.
The cancellation serves as a stark reminder to all businesses in the region to adhere to environmental guidelines, especially during peak pilgrimage seasons when the risk of plastic pollution is heightened.
