Mysore/Mysuru: Ahead of total ban on plastic and penalty for illegal activities at Chamundi Hills effective from Sept.1, a team of Forest personnel created awareness among shopkeepers, traders and others by distributing handbills yesterday.

The authorities are taking several stringent measures to maintain the sanctity of hill shrine, so that the religious sentiments of devotees doesn’t suffer a jolt.

Chamundi Hill falls under the green zone of Mysuru City and hence several stern actions are being taken to check the menace of plastic, which is threatening the reserve forest area of Chamundi Hill.  The plastic is also hazardous to the health of animals and birds in the forest.

Hence a team of Forest personnel led by DRFO Satish distributed pamphlets on do’s and don’ts to all the shops, besides residents and tourist visiting the hill. The vendors of puja items have been strictly warned to desist from using plastic.

The Forest Department has already announced a set of offences that attract penalty, under various sections of Karnataka Forest Act 1963.