As of  April authorities will ban the use of polythene bags in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State in western Burma to protect the environment, said an official report.

"Sittwe municipal authorities announced it will ban the use of polythene bags in Sittwe from April, at a meeting held at the Sittwe Ottama Garden on March 3." It said.

Sittwe-supper-marketE

The civic body said it will take action against those selling polythene bags in Sittwe as well as users of the bags, from 1 April, 2010.

"The ban on polythene bags is to save the city of Sittwe from imminent environmental disaster. Residents in Sittwe use thousands of polythene bags every day. City people are suffering from air pollution and other kinds of environmental hazards," the report said.

According to sources, most residents in Sittwe have welcomed the decision to ban the plastic bags.

"The polythene is a form of plastic and it is not biodegradable. It will never rot. Because of this polythene damages the environment and people's health. It is a great decision and we welcome it," a student in Sittwe said

The authorities in Arakan State banned the use of polythene bags in the western border town of Maungdaw on 11 February, 2010.