Latest news with #OdishaStatePollutionControlBoard
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Nuapada admn declares it is free of single-use plastic
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: The Nuapada administration has declared the district as single-use plastic free, becoming the first in Odisha to achieve the objective, officials said. District collector Madhusudan Dash had unveiled an ambitious month-long campaign that combined infrastructure development with community engagement. With the official declaration, Nuapada emerged as one of India's pioneering districts to formally eliminate single-use plastic, echoing this year's global theme of ending plastic pollution. As part of the initiative, 103 panchayat-level segregation sheds and two plastic waste management units were made operational to streamline waste processing. Simultaneously, widespread awareness and capacity-building efforts reached both rural and urban communities, inspiring active participation in over 700 cleanliness drives. Officials said further strengthening the district's ecological foundation, 1 lakh saplings were planted, and 500 green buffer zones created to mitigate pollution and restore degraded areas, setting a replicable model for sustainable, plastic-free living. "The commitment represents a significant step towards environmental sustainability," said collector Dash. "We're not just focusing on infrastructure, but also on creating lasting behavioural change in our communities." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The district also launched, 'Pakkhi paain dina tie' (A day for birds), an ecological initiative to protect local bird populations by installing nests and water bowls throughout Nuapada. The campaign garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Unicef and local NGOs.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SMC collects ₹3.91L in fines, seizes over 100 kg single-use plastic
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified its crackdown on single-use plastic users, seizing over 100 kg of banned materials and collecting Rs 3.91 lakh in penalties during the past five months According to SMC commissioner Vedbhusan, the seizures have steadily increased, with 16.5 kg confiscated in Jan followed by 27 kg in Feb, 31.7 kg in March, 12 kg in April, and 18.5 kg in May. The corresponding fines collected were Rs 59,700, Rs 124,300, Rs 45,000, Rs 89,300, and Rs 73,000 respectively. The enforcement drive, conducted jointly with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, had a three-phase approach. "We first raided business outlets and small vendors selling single-use plastic items. The second phase involved penalising large businesses while focusing on awareness for smaller vendors," said Vedbhusan. Deputy commissioner Shankar Prasad Sahu highlighted that the corporation has also banned paper cups for tea service from April 1, citing health concerns. "The coating in these cups is carcinogenic. We're promoting alternatives like glass, steel, and clay cups," he said. In an innovative move, the SMC has partnered with a cement factory to utilize non-recyclable plastic waste as refuse-derived fuel. "We're also exploring ways to create park benches and decorative items from plastic waste," said commissioner Vedbhusan. The corporation is working with SHGs to promote plastic waste recycling and reuse, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable waste management practices. Regional officer Satyanarayan Nanda of Odisha State Pollution Control Board confirmed that joint enforcement operations will resume next week after a brief pause, emphasising continued vigilance against single-use plastic violations.
