CHANDRAPUR: The Chandrapur city is the most polluted place in the
country and any addition to it will only bring hazards to the children
here. This is the massage thousands of young 'Environment Ambassadors'
will take to their homes and urge their parents to observe
pollution-free Ganesh festival this year.
Environmental NGO Eco-Pro has taken up a massive awareness campaign 'Green Ganesh' to sensitize people about pollution caused during the Ganesh festival. However, disappointed with the poor response of grown-ups to the call given year after year, the organization this year has targeted students this time around.
Environmental NGO Eco-Pro has taken up a massive awareness campaign 'Green Ganesh' to sensitize people about pollution caused during the Ganesh festival. However, disappointed with the poor response of grown-ups to the call given year after year, the organization this year has targeted students this time around.
"Our organization has Eco-Pro clubs in 25 schools in the town. We have
started sensitizing the students in each of these schools about
pollution caused during Ganesh festival and its hazards. They will serve
as ambassadors of our campaign, and sensitize their parents and
neighbours about it," said Eco-Pro president Bandu Dhotre.
He claimed that students are being educated about hazards of using idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) and painted with chemical colours. They are also being sensitized about the pollution cause by nirmalya (discarded garlands), use of thermocol and plastic for decoration. Students will be asked to urge their parents to buy clay idols, refrain from purchasing idols painted with chemical colours and deposit nirmalya in specific bins, so that it can be converted into compost.
"If the campaign goes as planned, at least 25,000 students will take the message of 'Green Ganesha' to their parents and neighbourhoods. These green campaigners will be given specially published leaflets to highlight the gravity of pollution and ideology behind the campaign," Dhotre said. Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC), local regional office of Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Chandrapur Police have joined hands with Eco-Pro in the campaign.
He claimed that they are going to request CMC to install special bins in each wards for collection of nirmalya. Eco-Pro will also install specific bins in every school so that students can bring nirmalya from their house and discard it there, instead of throwing it haphazardly in water bodies.
Eco-Pro will also hold essay-writing and drawing competition based on topics of pollution free Ganesh festival for students in the school. The organization has also announced 'Green Ganesha' competitions with lucrative prizes for Ganesh Mandals and household Ganesh idols.
Dhotre claimed that Ganesh mandals would
also be dissuaded from resorting to power theft, dumping nirmalya in
water bodies and creating noise pollution in silence zones during
processions. Eco-Pro will also install banners and hoardings across the
town sensitizing people about pollution caused during Ganesh festival.
He claimed that students are being educated about hazards of using idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) and painted with chemical colours. They are also being sensitized about the pollution cause by nirmalya (discarded garlands), use of thermocol and plastic for decoration. Students will be asked to urge their parents to buy clay idols, refrain from purchasing idols painted with chemical colours and deposit nirmalya in specific bins, so that it can be converted into compost.
"If the campaign goes as planned, at least 25,000 students will take the message of 'Green Ganesha' to their parents and neighbourhoods. These green campaigners will be given specially published leaflets to highlight the gravity of pollution and ideology behind the campaign," Dhotre said. Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC), local regional office of Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Chandrapur Police have joined hands with Eco-Pro in the campaign.
He claimed that they are going to request CMC to install special bins in each wards for collection of nirmalya. Eco-Pro will also install specific bins in every school so that students can bring nirmalya from their house and discard it there, instead of throwing it haphazardly in water bodies.
Eco-Pro will also hold essay-writing and drawing competition based on topics of pollution free Ganesh festival for students in the school. The organization has also announced 'Green Ganesha' competitions with lucrative prizes for Ganesh Mandals and household Ganesh idols.
