Mangalore, February 12: Those visiting the Surathkal market on Sundays might not have missed the sight of a few persons in a stall wearing khadi caps and offering cloth bags free of cost to purchase vegetables.
This is the way members of the Balakedarara Hitarakshana Vedike have been carrying out a campaign to reduce the use of plastic carry bags.
“We want people to develop the habit of using cloth bags while going to market,” said Sriranga Hosabettu, convener of the vedike.
Ban on plastic bags
Incidentally, K.N. Vijayaprakash, Commissioner of the Mangalore City Corporation, recently ordered ban on plastic bags. Mr. Vijayaprakash has asked petty shops and vegetable sellers to stop offering plastic bags and has threatened imposition of penalty.
Campaign
The vedike has been carrying out the campaign for the past five years. Now, it has been joined by organisations such as Mitra Mandali, Surathkal; Rotary Club, Surathkal; Govindadas College and Kadala Kaligala Kalakendra.
The members have not only been raising awareness about the dangers of plastic bags, but also distributing cloth bags free of cost. Mr. Hosabettu said the cloth bags were being stitched using the funds given by private companies.
“We print the firm's name on the bag and distribute among the people. The firms get publicity while our purpose is served,” Mr. Hosabettu said.
The vedike members do not miss the opportunity of attending places where people congregate. Recently, they were seen on the Panambur beach distributing bags during the beach festival. They also had a stall a few days ago at the Karavali Utsav.
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