Plastic ban in Lord’s abode from Oct 31

Tirupati: Twenty-two days after plastic ban came into effect in Tirupati, Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board has taken a decision to implement a similar ban in the world-renowned Hindu shrine from October 31.

Two days ago, TTD EO Anil Kumar Singhal directed the officials at a meeting to prepare a road map for implementation of complete plastic ban in Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara.

According to sources, at Tirumala hill shrine 80 tonnes of garbage is being produced every day of which 6 per cent is non-degradable.

This non-degradable plastic is showing adverse impact on Tirumala, covered by lush green dense forest. In the interest of the green cover and for implementation of ecofriendly methods, TTD officials are considering a ban on use of plastic.

In Tirumala, there is no static population. Pilgrims come and go in thousands, leaving non-biodegradable plastic material all over.

Every day, the TTD uses more than one lakh plastic carry bags which are 51 microns in thickness for selling laddus at Tirumala. Till a few days back, TTD authorities had used plastic carry bags to distribute Anna Prasadams and Laddu, Vada to VIP devotees.

A total 4,500 shops and hotels have been using the plastic covers for packing food, toys and other gift articles and puja materials. In this backdrop, the TTD public health department has taken a week-long awareness campaign on implementation of plastic ban among the shop owners, hoteliers and locals of the hill town.

Meanwhile, TTD is also searching for alternatives instead of plastic carry bags to issue laddus to devotees. The officials are examining many bio-degradable covers like those made of jute other environment-friendly material.

Since last fortnight, TTD officials are using plastic alternatives in Srivari temple, mainly using leaves and bamboo baskets for carrying the Anna Prasadams from temple to outside.

Speaking to The Hans India, TTD health officer Dr S Sharmista said that after a week they will implement complete plastic ban in Tirumala.

"Already our catering department is using paper cups and plates for distributing the food and other beverages to pilgrims at the hill shrine. On instructions from our EO Anil Kumar Singhal, we have told all the shop owners, hoteliers and locals at Tirumala to stop using plastic covers from October 31 and advised them to make their own alternative arrangements for packing food, toys and other items,” she said.