Puri: Inmates of Utkal Balashram, a shelter house for orphans and destitute children, Sunday joined the plastic-free Odisha campaign launched by Orissa POST and Dharitri.
The inmates took a pledge against the use of plastic and polythene on the occasion of Rakhya Bandhan. They also chanted slogans to support a plastic-free society.
Participating in the event, additional collector Bibhuti Bhusan Das blamed rampant use of plastic bags for environmental pollution. “We are using polythene bags for carrying groceries, vegetables and foodstuff. These plastic bags often choke the drainage system in cities and cause waterlogging. We should take a pledge against plastic and make people aware of the issue,” Das said.
Former administrative officer Binod Panda, district child protection officer (DCPO) Manoj Tripathy, Utkal Balashram caretaker Sarang Mahapatra and Rotary Jagannath Dham Inner Wheel club president Bandana Ray and secretary Basanti Tripathy participated in the campaign against plastic.
Among others, Madhusmita Mahapatra, Pravati Mahapatra and Sarojini Pradhani were present on the occasion.
“We will take all possible steps to make the shelter house a polythene-free place,” said the DCPO.
