Overview

• Government has officially imposed a permanent ban on the import, sale, and distribution of artificial flowers across Maharashtra.
• Officials plan a high-level meeting with the environment minister to establish detailed enforcement protocols and regulatory guidelines.
• Over 100 MLAs from both ruling and opposition parties signed a petition demanding the ban, marking rare political consensus.
• Grower associations submitted memoranda and cited a 30–40% drop in fresh flower prices that has driven some farmers to halt polyhouse cultivation.
• Vendors warn that involvement of municipal bodies, environment agencies and APMCs could lead to inconsistent enforcement and harassment.