Mysuru: In a move to promote eco-consciousness, cloth bags were distributed to visitors at Dasara Exhibition in Mysuru to raise awareness against use of single-use plastic.

This initiative came in response to a report published in the Oct. 14 edition of Mysuru Mithra, the sister publication of Star of Mysore, which highlighted the heavy rush of visitors at the Dasara Expo but also noted the unchecked use of plastic.

Prompted by the report, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) officials sprang into action and arranged for cloth bags to be distributed with the help of volunteers. At several entry points of the expo, visitors carrying plastic bags were screened and provided with cloth bags as an eco-friendly alternative.

KEA Chairman Ayub Khan, speaking on the occasion, reiterated that this year’s Dasara has been declared plastic-free. He urged tourists to avoid using banned single-use plastics, encouraging them to either purchase cloth bags or collect them from volunteers at the Dasara exhibition.

Traders who had set up stalls were also warned against using plastic, with repeated announcements made over the public address system. Government Departments participating in the expo were instructed to ensure that their staff comply with these directives.

Present at the event were KEA Manager Venkatesh and volunteers from the Leo Club of Mysore — Nidha, Preetham, Tejas, and Rahul – who assisted with the distribution of cloth bags.