Kolkata: The Alipore zoo authorities have proposed handing out jute bags to visitors to put their trash in. On returning the bags at the gates when leaving the zoo, visitors will get a refund of their Rs 30 entrance fee. The authorities will also write to the state Pollution Control Board to declare the zoo premises as a no-plastic zone.This move coincides with the zoo authorities starting to impose fines on visitors found harassing animals. State zoo authority member secretary V K Yadav said that sometimes people shout at the animals and even pelt them with stones.“We will impose a spot fine of Rs 500 on visitors if they are caught,” he said.Yadav said that among the other proposals discussed during the recently-concluded zoo festival was writing to Kolkata Police to declare the area around the zoo a no-honking zone.According to Yadav, the zoo gets an annual footfall of around 35 lakh.The attempt to reduce litter and clean up the zoo premises, incidentally, coincides with several steps introduced to clean up tourist spots statewide. At the newly inaugurated Dakshineswar skywalk, prodded by urban development minister Firhad Hakim, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has decided that a fine of Rs 1,001 would be slapped on anybody caught spitting or throwing trash. A few people were caught spitting on the skywalk only a day after it was inaugurated.Bengal is among the few states in the country that have official anti-spitting laws. The West Bengal Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting and Protection of Health of Non-smokers and Minors Act, 2001, which became a law in Bengal, has stiff penalty clauses. Spitting in public places can lead to an initial fine of Rs 100, but can go up to five times that for subsequent offences. The measures are, however, rarely implemented.In the yet-to-be-inaugurated Kolkata Gate, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) will constantly monitor the premises. “We will follow the arrangements set up at the Mothers Wax Museum. There will be 24X7 surveillance of visitors. There will be CCTV cameras inside the Kolkata Gate ring and security personnel will keep constant watch. Those caught littering will be asked to clean up after themselves,” said an NKDA official.Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly stressed on action against people who spit and throw trash in public places. She had also spoken of examining legal provisions to add more teeth to the law. Spitting in public places, legal experts said, can also be deemed a penal offence under Section 268 of the Indian Penal Code.Local laws under the Calcutta Police Act also allows for fine for causing nuisance in public places.

Stay updated with all the Kolkata Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.