3 days ago
Students, activists unite against plastic use
Berhampur: Several college students, social activists, and retired teachers participated in a rally on Thursday to raise awareness about plastic pollution, promote tree plantations, and call for the protection of water bodies.
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The rally was organised by the Berhampur-based Aryabhatta Foundation.
Participants marched through the town urging people to "say no to plastic" and adopt eco-friendly alternatives like cotton and jute bags. The foundation, which has worked for nearly two decades on environmental causes, also flagged off a symbolic awareness chariot—an electric vehicle adorned with green slogans such as "plant and protect trees" and "conserve water bodies."
Fitted with a low-noise sound system, the vehicle will tour Ganjam and neighbouring districts to spread the message.
Sudhir Rout, president of the Aryabhatta Foundation, underscored the health hazards of plastic use. In a bid to restore degraded landscapes, the foundation also launched its annual seed ball drive. Rout said preparations have begun to produce two lakh seed balls, which will be scattered across bald hilltops just before the monsoon. "We've already helped revive greenery in around 20 degraded hills over the past decade.
This year, we aim to take up two more," he said. Additionally, the organisation plans to plant six lakh trees in hill areas, another 1,000 saplings and 2,000 palm trees along the banks of the Rushikulya river.
