The use of plastic or polythene bags will be prohibited in Madhya Pradesh from May 1 as, according to the government, their consumption leads to cow deaths. “The cows eat polythene/plastic bags, which leads to their death. Banning of polythene use will protect their lives. Besides, the plastic/polythene bags are also harmful for the environment,” the state government’s Public Relations Department Minister Narottam Mishra was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

The decision to ban plastic bags was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Mishra clarified that the ban would only apply to plastic/polythene bags and not to other plastic items such as buckets.