Everyone understands how harmful plastic is for the environment, yet its easy availability makes it very difficult for the people to completely discard it. But change doesn’t take place overnight, one has to practice it daily and with the ban on plastic in Lucknow once again, we hope the desired change takes place.

The Uttar Pradesh government has put a ban on the use of plastic and polythene of thickness 50 microns, but that’s not all. In a bid to save the environment, they plan on promoting the usage of ‘Kulhads’, as an alternative to plastic cups.

This environment-friendly step is going to bring economic benefits to the potters’ community, that accounts for nearly 2 crores of UP’s population. A newly constituted Mati Kala Board, along with the state government, has decided to encourage the use of Kulhads in both public places and government offices.

Livelihood for potters, Kulhad chai for locals!

This move will not just help tackle the plastic problem, but will also provide livelihood to the huge artisan community of the state and will boost their craft.

This is a great news for the people too, because nothing can beat the taste of Kulhad chai, and you’re all going to be able to enjoy that quite frequently, very soon.

What’s in store for the artisans?

• The potters will get a lot of advantages with this move. For promoting pottery, it is important that the craftsmen be given proper conditions to work in. Therefore, the government plans on providing them houses, free electricity, and will waive all taxes too.
• Special pottery hubs will be established in districts like Gorakhpur (known for Terracotta pottery), Azamgarh (known for black pottery), Mirzapur (chunar ki patri) and Khurja in Bulandshahr.
• To make sure that the artisans are accustomed to the technology, which will help them work better, the state government will also tie-u with fine arts faculties in the central and state universities.
• The artisans with be registered with the labour department, so that they can avail of all the benefits of the welfare schemes.

Let’s hope that the ban this time delivers a result, and is here to stay, unlike what happened in 2016.