Awareness campaign at Devaraja Market launched

Mysuru:

To create a plastic-free nation, everyone must contribute to protecting and nurturing the environment by planting a tree at home, suggested Girish, Director of Jeevadara Blood Donation Center.

On Friday, in view of World Environment Day, an awareness campaign titled "Say No to Plastic Bags, Carry a Cloth Bag" was organized at Devaraja Market by Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), KMPK Charitable Trust, and Jeevadara Blood Donation Center.

As part of the campaign, free cloth bags were distributed to customers and vendors, and awareness was raised about the harms caused by plastic use.

Speaking on the occasion, Girish said “Let a plastic-free India be everyone’s duty. When going to markets and shops, we must replace plastic covers with eco-friendly and cloth-made bags. Waste management should begin at home, by segregating wet and dry waste to prevent pollution. We must remember that we are responsible for nurturing the trees we plant. Walking or cycling instead of using vehicles for nearby destinations should be encouraged.”

Former MCC Councillor Prameela Bharath said: "Plastic usage is causing serious harm to the environment. Ironically, even educated people continue to use plastic. Despite being aware of environmental issues, they are behaving irresponsibly. We must protect the environment and leave it as a gift for future generations. The slogan 'Grow Trees, Grow the Nation' should become a reality. We must maintain cleanliness in our surroundings and ensure greenery in nearby areas—this is our duty.”

Vikram Iyengar, President, KMPK Trust, told City Hilights that they have plans to hold a similar campaign at Vani Vilasa Market and Nanjumalige Market in the coming weeks, and distribute 100 cloth bags at each market to the general public. The carrying capacity of each bag is around 10 kg. The entire cost of stitching the cloth bags is borne by him and his friends.

This is being done to encourage the citizens to carry the cloth bags instead of bringing fruits and vegetables in plastic bags. Earlier, the people would use to carry the cloth bags but the practice discontinued after the advent of the plastic bags. The trust aims to reduce the use of plastic bags and promote the cotton bags to save the planet from the plastic pollution.

Prameela Bharath, former MCC councillor, Girish, Director, Jeevadara Blood Donation Center, Ravishankar, State Coordinator, Akhila Bharatiya Grahaka Panchayat, S.N. Rajesh, Charan, Environmental engineers and health inspectors from Zone Office 06 of Mysuru City Corporation: Maitri, Manjukumar S., and supervisors, street vendors from Devaraja Market were present.