Mysore/Mysuru: With a slogan ‘Plastic Bidi, Batte Bag Hidi’ (Leave plastic, carry cloth bag), an environmental awareness programme was conducted at the foot of Chamundi Hill here yesterday.

Parisara Snehi Thanda, in association with KMPK Charitable Trust, spread the awareness message in a campaign, by handing over cloth bags to the devotees climbing the hill steps. Besides, placards with  the above slogan was also displayed to disseminate the message effectively among the devotees.

Executive Officer (EO) of Mysuru Taluk Panchayat H.D. Girish, who inaugurated the awareness campaign, said: “Everybody should join hands for the total eradication of plastic at Chamundi Hill. The devotees visiting the hill should say no to plastic at home itself.”

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Health Officer Dr. D.G. Nagaraj said: “The public participation is key in stopping the use of plastic. Mysuru being a clean city, a dedicated task force will be formed to check plastic, with lakhs of devotees expected to descend on Chamundi Hill during Ashada.”

President of KMPK Charitable Trust Vikram Iyengar, Lohit of Parisara Snehi Thanda, Director of Jeevadhara Blood Bank Girish, Ajay Shastri, President of Saraf Merchants Association Suresh Gold, Senior Health Inspector Shivaprasad, Environment Engineer Jyothi, Junior Health Inspector Preeti, Rakesh, Sachindra, Chakrapani, Chetan Aradhya, Basavaraju, Manjunath, Uma, Vanajakshi, Rangaswamy and Manjunath were present during the awareness programme.