No-polythene drive picks up by the Deputy Commissioner, Karnal - Naresh Kadyan

Karnal has become the first district in the state to launch the "no polythene" campaign.

The eco-friendly movement initiated by the district administration has completed seven months and has started getting support from the local residents.

Launched in October last year, deputy commissioner Balbir Singh Malik terms it as an attempt to make people aware about the hazardous effects of plastic on the environment.

``We do not claim 100 per cent success, but residents have started responding to our message. Residents of certain pockets, including Sury Enclave in Sector 7, have stopped using polythene. They ensure that their streets remain free from polythene,'' claims Malik.

Every Sunday, free fabric bags are distributed among the residents at the mandi.

The administration has divided the entire township in 19 beats and a government official is given the charge of each beat.

For the last seven months on every Saturday morning, officials, including the DC, reach their beats for the cause. Welfare associations and the residents are also roped in for the operation cleaning.

Motivated to make it a people's movement, volunteers pick plastic waste from the open spaces, drains and streets.

After spreading the message, the administration has now directed the vegetables vendors to stop using recycled polythene bags.

Strict instructions have been issued to officials of the market committee and the MC to keep a check on the use of such bags by shopkeepers.

He said due to plastic waste, the drainage system of the district was almost collapsed causing flood in an area of about 1.25 lakh hectares this February.

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• polythene