ThiruvananthaPuram: The city corporation has joined hands with Suchitwa Mission and the district administration to introduce a green protocol for the Attukal pongala which will be held on February 23. The mission Is to reduce the use of plastic by devotees during the festival. The civic body has asked voluntary organizations and individuals who distribute food and water to devotees to refrain from using disposable e glasses and paper. Instead steel glasses, tumblers and plates will be collected and distributed to the devotees. Mayor V K Prashanth said the protocol will not be forcibly imposed. “This is a humble attempt at managing waste in a scientific manner after the pongala. If the devotees could bring a steel plate and glass along with their pongala kits, the mission could be a huge success.’ he said. The city corporation will organize a collection drive for steel plates and glasses at 15 centres on Monday and Tuesday. Counters will be opened at 15 temples where city residents can turn up and contribute steel glasses and plates at a rate of one per family. Besides, the Suchitwa Mission and city corporation plan to collect 25,000 steel plates and glasses through sponsorship.
The Suchitwa Mission had earlier undertaken simi lar Initiatives during the youth festival and the National Games.” This is the first time the Mission will be trying this during Attukal pongala. We want all devotees to bring steel plates and glasses this year and donate at least one steel glass as a token of their promise that in the coming years also they will avoid the use of plastic and disposable items,’ said executive director of Suchitwa Mission K Vasuki. The food safety department will also take part in the mission. T V Anupama. Food safety commissioner said that vendors selling food items will have to go through a registration process. So far 200 voluntary organizations have registered with the food safety department for pongala. We expect the numbers to go up in the coming days. The surveillance checks to ensure food safety and hygiene will begin from Friday” she said. The district administration will monitor all the steps being undertaken to ensure a plastic free pongala. “Steps have also been taken to control sound pollution for which police assistance has been sought” district collector Biju Prabhakar said.
