In introducing new practices, the hard part is in bringing about a behavioural change that would make it a success. The city Corporation had from last year stipulated a green protocol for the Attukal Pongala. The first time around, it was only marginally successful, with the city roads being strewn with plastic cups and plates after the festival last year.
This year though, there was a marked improvement with a large number of devotees carrying steel plates and cups with them to collect the food and water distributed by voluntary organisations. According to Mayor V.K. Prashanth, the green protocol this year has been “80% successful.”
Rina Asher, a homemaker from Kumarapuram, said it was very satisfying to see a significant improvement in anti-plastic awareness among the people, especially city residents.
However, piles of disposable plates and glasses were still to be seen. Umesh, who was serving food to devotees at a house near the temple, said the green protocol was a positive step and had brought down plastic use by half. However, when it came to Annadanam, there were a few hurdles with many devotees not having any utensil to eat from.
Jute, cloth bags
Most women had opted for jute and cloth bags to pack their Pongala stuff in. But individual items such as rice and jaggery were still packed in plastic. Though plastic cups were not seen anywhere, many voluntary organisations were seen using paper cups to distribute water and butter milk.
The Mayor said that the main roads will be washed down after 9 p.m., once the removal of garbage is completed.
