The Forum for Ganjam has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ban use of plastic bags in order to keep environment free of pollution.
In a letter, forum members informed the Chief Minister that they have formed a volunteers’ group named “Paribesh Jattha” and are appealing people in the length and breadth of Ganjam district to plant trees to fight global warming, avoid polythene, plastic cups, water pouches and plastic bags to keep environment clean and conserve water to face impending water crisis.
The campaigning is being undertaken with running of a “Sabuja Ratha” with the support of the Aryabhatta Foundation, Brahmapur, they mentioned.
“During campaigning, we have observed that every nook and corner of the district is filled with plastic and polythene.
They are destroying the fertility of cultivable land and creating health problems in rural areas. In the urban areas, plastic bags are clogging the drainage system and creating mountains of nonperishable garbage causing health hazards.
As massive use of plastic bags is going to pose a dangerous threat to the environment, we demand that use of plastic bag be banned in the State,” said the letter. Among others, Sudhir Kumar Raut, E Tejeswar Rao, J Suresh, Manash Patro, SS Khadanga, Swaraj Subudhi and PK Muni signed the letter.