Bhubaneswar: To protect the environment from plastic pollution, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Odisha in association with a NGO will undertake Plastic Free Picnic Challenge’ campaign at 100 picnic spots in the State.
The State Pollution Control Board along with Youth4Water, an NGO, will undertake a campaign ‘Plastic Free Picnic Challenge’ with an objective to make the picnic spots free from littering of plastic and other materials.
As per a public notice issued by the SPCB today, the campaign will be implemented through creating public awareness and other allied activities by engaging local volunteers, NGOs, Eco Clubs, self-help groups (SHGs), and Gram Panchayats.
The State has identified 100 picnic spots in 28 out of 30 districts of Odisha to undertake the campaign. The Government will restrict use of single use plastics in the identified picnic spots. It will also put-up an advisory of Dos and Don’ts for strict adherence.
“All citizens are requested to follow the restriction and the advisory to maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings and maintain an enjoyable environment,” read the public notice.
The Board Member Secretary Dr. K. Murugesan has sought cooperation of every individual to make the campaign successful.
The State Government had imposed a ban on the manufacture, sell, import, storing, carrying, transportation and distribution of the single-use plastics in all urban local bodies of the state on October 2, 2019. Later, it was extended to all parts of the State.
However, people continue to use plastic in large amounts for transportation of small amounts of goods. Therefore, the campaign was launched to raise awareness among the visitors.
Focus will be laid on picnic spots near sea beaches where single-use plastics pose a major threat to marine ecology. While local authorities will be urged to extend support to have a system in place for the immediate lifting of garbage generated at the picnic spots and impose restrictions on the use of single-use plastic items, people will be sensitised on the need to be responsible visitors, sources said.
