Realising the importance of preserving the mother earth in the wake of industrial revolution, growing urbanisation and population explosion, World Environment Day (WED) is being celebrated across the globe since June 5, 1973. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and the host this year is Côte d’Ivoire, in partnership with the Netherlands.
Back home, Nandankanan Zoological Park here hosted an offline ‘Poster Presentation Competition’ on “Life style for Environment (LiFE)” Sunday. Another event will be organised at Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre here Monday which will have keynote speakers and display of sculptures made by children from plastic waste, felicitation of startups for environment-friendly and sustainable solutions and cultural performances by Society for Children (SOCH).
Meanwhile, several green activists underscored the hazards of single-use plastic and the need for massive campaign to reduce it. Speaking to Orissa POST, Orissa Environmental Society secretary Jaya Krushna Panigrahi said, “The theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ was also the topic in 2018. I have been highlighting the detrimental impacts of indiscriminate use of plastic through newspapers, TV discussions and public meetings. I have participated in a plastic waste collection drive organised by Chandaka Wildlife Division in the last two days. On June 5, we are organising a programme on this year’s theme. I will also deliver talks in the programmes organised by Utkal University and East Coast Railway as the chief speaker.”
Although single-use plastic has been banned by the Union and state governments, production, marketing and use of these products are continuing as usual, Panigrahi rued. “The damage caused to our body by plastic pollution, more importantly by microplastics and nanoplastics, are of grave concern. We need to use available biodegradable alternatives to plastic. It is high time for stringent action against the violators,” he added.
Ranjan Panda, a noted water and climate change expert, said, “We had started raising awareness and action on pollution of rivers, lakes and other wetlands in early 90s. Then plastic pollution was perceived as a big menace. Later, as plastic became an omnipresent pollutant, a sustained campaign was initiated in March 2019 with flagging off of our #Youth4Water campaign. Since November 2022, we are running#PlasticFreePicnicChallenge in which we have reached out to more than 20,000 youths and community members. This Environment Day, we call upon the youths to adopt at least one picnic spot in their area and help make it free from plastic pollution.”
A few cafes and cloud kitchens here have begun using biodegradable packaging and utensils to serve food. Orissa POST sat with a couple of food joints to bring up their ideas of creating awareness.
‘Cha Biscuit’, a utility hangout for nature enthusiasts at Anandabazar Chhak of Unit IX area, offers ‘kulhad chai’ and food in biodegradable packets. “We have been serving tea in kulhad since 2017. It gives me immense pleasure to share that I have taken a little step to avoid single-use plastic for betterment of society,” says Subrat Das, proprietor of ‘Cha Biscuit’.
Eco Kitchen, a cloud kitchen in Bhubaneswar, makes organic spices and promotes plastic-free and biodegradable packaging. Identity of this brand reflects its passion for food and environment. “Eco Kitchen uses biodegradable materials for packaging to reduce single-use plastic. Eco Kitchen’s motto is to build ecology and economy together,” says owner of Eco Kitchen, Mohammed Reza.
Smruti Rekha Barik, OP