Encourage people to celebrate Ganesha fest in eco-friendly way: Khandre

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: With just over a month left for Lord Ganesha festival, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday directed officials to encourage people to celebrate by opting for green crackers and worshiping environmentally friendly Vinayaka idols instead of POP (Plaster of Paris).

Khandre also asked them to create a task force comprising marshals in all districts and put a complete stop to the sale, storage and transportation of single use plastic and its products.

He gave the directions at a meeting with the officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board here. Khandre, who holds the Forest, Ecology and Environment portfolios, instructed officials to form a team in all district headquarters, monitor manufacturing units, warehouses and sales outlets of single-use plastic products such as carry bags, spoons, plates, glasses, raid them and file a case.

Khandre also asked the officials to coordinate with various departments including transport, police, commercial tax to control single use plastic and plastic products.