Maharashtra Government to Launch Special Drive Against Plastic Flowers
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Tuesday that the state government will initiate a comprehensive special drive targeting the escalating use of plastic flowers. A fresh notification will be issued to formally prohibit their utilization during festivals, in banquet halls, and at similar venues, accompanied by stringent fines and punitive measures for those who violate the ban.
Environmental and Agricultural Concerns Drive the Ban
While addressing a discussion in the legislative council, Fadnavis emphasized that natural flowers are being extensively replaced by plastic alternatives, resulting in significant detriment to farmers and causing substantial environmental damage. He affirmed that the government will establish a robust mechanism to completely halt this practice and will instruct the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to intensify crackdowns on markets engaged in trading such materials.
Notices will be served to banquet halls and comparable establishments, and legal prosecution will extend not only to sellers but also to hall proprietors where plastic flowers are discovered in use. This move aims to address the widespread sale of plastic flowers during Ganeshotsav and other festive occasions, which has been highlighted by council members as adversely affecting farmers' livelihoods and disrupting the flower market.
Implementation Timeline and Penalties
MLC Anil Parab urged the government to provide a clear deadline before commencing strict enforcement, cautioning that an immediate crackdown could disrupt wedding ceremonies and potentially lead to the closure of numerous halls across Mumbai. He proposed a grace period for offenders to comply before punitive actions are initiated.
Accepting this suggestion, Fadnavis confirmed that the enforcement date will be officially notified soon through a new government order. The notification will explicitly outline penalties and punishments for both sellers and owners of banquet halls found using plastic flowers, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Existing Regulations and Enforcement Actions
Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde clarified that a complete ban on plastic and thermocol for decorative purposes is already in effect under the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Notification of 2018. Additionally, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board issued a circular in 2025 advising against the use of artificial flowers during the festival season.
Munde provided enforcement statistics, revealing that from April 2025 to January 2026, authorities inspected 1,24,783 establishments under the Maharashtra Non-Biodegradable Waste Control Act of 2006. During this period, action was taken against 3,390 violators, resulting in fines totaling Rs 1.55 crore and the seizure of 67.54 metric tonnes of single-use plastic.
The government's renewed focus on banning plastic flowers underscores its commitment to protecting agricultural interests and mitigating environmental harm, with structured enforcement poised to ensure compliance across the state.
