Despite calls to ban plastic in Kamakhya Temple; Plastic bags still used to store shoes!

Guwahati: At a time when the Government of Assam Government is planning to come out with the initiative to ban the use of plastic bags in the state, here’s a view at the Kamakhya Temple during the Ambubachi Mela 2019 where plastic bags were used in place shoe- rack to store shoes of the devotees.

It is to be noted that despite the attempt of the Voice of Environment (NGO) who came forward to create a holistic & systematic awareness campaign to drive a ‘Plastic Zero’ premise in the Maa Kamakhya Temple of Guwahati this year, several plastic bags were spotted at the Kamakhya Temple in Nilachal Hills.

As per a press statement earlier, Voice of Environment (NGO) informed that in the year 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding/MoU with the Maa Kamakhya Temple Authority (Doloi Head Priest) for making a plastic-free premise. As per said mission Voice of Environment have included priests, vendors & devotees by & large in planned and phased way to propagate an applied moral awareness about the hazardous impact these plastics are creating for local residents & overall ecosystem & biodiversity of Nilachal Hill.

They also claimed in their press statement that over the last over 2 years it is observed there is a spontaneous decline in plastic waste which encourages the cause.

The NGO also started a signature campaign at Kamakhya Temple premise during Ambubachi Mela 2019 which was led by Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury, Advocate Kanhaiya Poddar, requested everyone to collaborate, support and join the cause for Environmental sustainability of iconic heritage site of state as well the country.

Simultaneously the team also conducted a campaign with a display card and Placards with different “Environmental Messages” regarding cleanliness and beat plastic pollution. The team has done a meeting with Kamakhya Temple Authority head Priest as Mohit Sarma (Bor-Doloi) and Kabindra Sarma (Saru-Doloi) regarding the plastic waste disposal and cleanliness aspect and future action plans which was led by Bhaskar Hazarika and Environmentalist Moharana Choudhury.

The team also interacted with Sadhus/Saints, Devotees and Visitors regarding environmental concerns to understand their views. Majority of devotees especially youths, volunteering groups, Higher Police Officials as Shri Gunendra Deka APS, temple authority actively participated in the signature campaign today. As there is an urgent need for participation and association form all the stakeholders to bring a better scenario.

Also Read: Drive To Make Kamakhya Temple A Plastic-Free Zone