Karnataka bans soaps & shampoos near water bodies to curb pollution

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has taken a landmark decision to control pollution in the state. As per the new order issued, a total ban will take place on the sale of soaps, detergent, and shampoos within 500 meters of rivers, tanks, bathing ghats, and so on. This decision was taken to protect the water bodies from pollution because these materials lead to enhanced water pollution because people use such items during their baths and washing clothes.

Environment and Ecology Minister of the State Eshwar Khandre urged officials to control their sale near the water bodies and also stressed that devotees should not leave behind their clothes and other items near the water bodies.

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Referring to the use-and-throw culture, the minister said the devotees damage the ecosystem of water bodies at holy places. “Most devotees leave behind used soaps, detergents, and shampoo packets along the bathing ghats of rivers, lakes, and temple ponds. Eventually, these are let into the rivers, which affects the quality of water,” the minister said in a letter to the additional chief secretary to the environment and ecology department.

As per a department official, due to such unchecked activities, tanks and rivers are getting polluted. Therefore, water bodies near pilgrimage centres become polluted, replete with phosphates and other chemical compounds, which lead to increased froth of water.