SAMBALPUR: The authorities of Samaleswari temple have decided to make the shrine and its surroundings plastic-free.
The initiative follows the successful implementation of a tobacco ban on the temple premises and the transition to solar power.
The decision was taken in wake of a suggestion made by Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan in this regard. During his visit to the temple on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri on Wednesday, Pradhan laid emphasis on eliminating plastic use in daily operations of the temple. He also suggested steps to prevent the public from littering the premises with plastic waste.
The Temple Trust Board has chalked out a few plans. The authorities are making plans to avoid use of plastic for packing of prasad and agarbatti and sensitise the vendors outside the temple to utilise biodegradable packaging materials.
Ways to pack bhoga in eco-friendly containers are being explored.r
The shrine is attracting thousands of devotees daily. With huge crowds, rampant use of plastic bags, bottles, and other non-biodegradable items has become a growing concern for the shrine management.
