Tirupati model checking for plastic ban atop Chamundi Hill

Mysuru:  Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, in an effort to make Chamundi Hill plastic-free zone, has come up with the idea of a Tirupati model to effectively implement the ban on usage of plastic.

He was chairing a review meeting of various development works organised by the Temple Management Committee at the Dasoha Bhavan atop the Hill, here yesterday and seeking information from the officials.

Assistant Conservator of Forest Prakash and Range Forest Officer Govindaraju of Mysuru Division, said that Chamundi Hill has been declared a ‘Green Zone’ but plastic covers and empty water bottles are found strewn all over. In the interest of protecting environment, plastic ban must be strictly imposed, they urged.

Temple Executive Officer (EO) K.M. Prasad said that the usage of plastic covers by the shops around the temple is going up. Plastic covers are used to pack puja articles. Neither the Police nor the officials concerned have taken any action to curb this menace, he added expressing his displeasure.

Reacting to this, Gram Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) Poornima said that in spite of launching awareness drive against the use of plastic and confiscating the plastic covers several times, it has had no effect on the shop-keepers who continue to use it. The only option left is to stop the vehicles entering the Hill at Tavarekatte (foot of Chamundi Hill) and check them for plastics, she suggested.

Listening to the various proposals, Randeep felt that plastic must be banned. The Tirupati model is the best to follow as they have strictly banned the use of plastic and hence it is not seen anywhere atop the Hill. He directed the officials to check all the vehicles entering the Chamundi Hill from other gates too.

Vacate push-carts: Temple EO Prasad demanded the removal of the push-carts around the temple selling coconuts and sugarcane juice. The DC, reacting to this, took the K.R. Police Sub-Inspector to task. However, the SI said that a Task Force had been formed for this purpose. The roadside vendors have been provided space to sell their wares. In spite of this, the vendors continue to throng the parking lots, Dasoha Bhavan and places around the temple, thus creating a nuisance for the devotees and the tourists.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the officials to clear the place from people conducting their business illegally.

The District Health Department had promised to open a Public Health Centre (PHC) soon. But the Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat President Geetha said that a hospital had to be set up atop the Hill as the flow of tourists has been increasing. Many of the devotees who climb the Hill suffer from various ailments and also collapse suffering heart attacks. Hence, by the time they are taken to Mysuru city, their conditions deteriorate, she regretted.