The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is taking numerous steps to create awareness about the hazardous effects of single use plastic. One such effort by the civic body is the distribution of cloth bags among the devotees at the various Chhath ghats across the City.
Keeping in mind the rising levels of pollution, the authorities have decided to focus on cleanliness and adopt the ‘go green’ mantra’ this festive season.
While many State Governments across the country have successfully implemented the ban of single use plastic, the authorities in Ranchi too have decided to encourage the use of cotton and jute bags among the citizens. “Efforts are being made to curb the use of plastic in and around the City.
In this regard, for the first time to shun the use of plastic, cloth bags will be distributed among all the worshippers at various Chhath ghats which witness huge footfall on both Saturday evening and Sunday Morning,” said Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargiya.
This year the festival will be celebrated on November 2 as Sandhya Argha and November 3 as Suryodaya Argha. To discourage the use of single use plastic, people are being encouraged to carry cloth or jute bags while going to the market for vegetables, grocery or or just shopping. Shop keepers are also being advised to keep jute and cloth bags.
“During Durga Puja festivities as well the pandals were encouraged to have eco- friendly celebrations making minimum use of plastic, synthetic paints and other non biodegradeable substances.
RMC had also distributed cloth bags at the various puja pandals which was espically used for prasad distribution. This time too apart from giving these bags to all the devotees at Chhath ghats, in case anyone is found carrying a plastic bag, it would be taken in exchange of a cloth bag.
The plastic bags are then taken by cement plant factories from RMC,” said Municipal Commissioner Manoj Kumar. The civic body has planned to implement this campaign at some of the major Chhath ghats across the City. These include Chadri Talab, Kanke Dam, Bada Talab, Hataniya Talab among others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his last visit to the State capital in September had urged the youth of the State to discard the use of plastic products and also support the Government in its endeavour for an environment friendly country.
During his numerous rallies and also while addressing the nation through ‘Mann ki Baat’ on the last Sunday of every month, the PM has urged the people of India to shun the use of single use plastic.
Modi has asked startups and technicians to find ways of recycling plastic like using it for the construction of roads and highways. Appealing to the shop keepers, the PM suggested hanging a board saying ‘Please don’t expect plastic bags, bring your own cloth bags or take them at a price.’
The State Government too is supporting the PM in this initiative of a plastic free India and various hoarding have been installed across Jharkhand conveying the same message.
Single use plastic commonly refers to use and throw plastic products like plastic carry bags, straws, containers cups and cutlery.