Minister for Environment, Dr. Mahendra Reddy says the main reason to ban plastic bags in the country is to keep the environment clean and not starting to manufacture plastic bags that are more than 50 microns.
While opening the Investigators Workshop for the Department of Environment Enforcement Officers, Dr. Reddy says the main aim of the workshop is to strengthen these officers evidence-gathering skills when they are investigating environmental crimes and violation cases.
Dr. Reddy says this workshop also aims to enhance these officers prosecuting skills.
28 officers are part of the two days workshop who are already investigating environmental crimes and violation cases under the various environmental laws for prosecution purposes.
Dr.Reddy says by the end of the two workshops, these officers will be able to conduct investigations using the environmental legislations, collect credible evidence for trial preparation and advocacy to assist prosecutors to table non-compliance and environment crimes in court.
He says the Ministry will ensure that these officers are equipped to do their job and anyone who commits environmental crimes are taken to task.
