It is 11 days since Rathnagiriswarar temple at Besant Nagar began three new exercises that are aimed at protecting the environment. First, it has taken a major step towards solid waste management.
The waste generated on the temple premises is now being segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable and the decomposable waste is subjected to composting.
Another laudable effort is that the temple management has taken a tough stand against the use of polythene carrybags on the temple premises.
“No more flowers can be offered in polythene carry bags as they been banned inside the temple premises. Devotees are expected to bring their own baskets or cloth bags to hold flowers and other offerings. Vendors near the temple are also being educated on why they should avoid using polythene carry bags,” says P.S. Ramakrishnan, a member of the temple management.
The third initiative is that the temple has made arrangements to hand over excess food ( prasadam ) to the poor and needy.
The entire exercise is being supported by Namma Ooru Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Thiruvanmiyur.
Viji Ganesh, a spokesperson of the Foundation, says, “As of now, around 5kg of biodegradable waste is generated from this temple in a day. And close to 10kg of recyclable waste has been generated in the past 11 days. This is our first temple project.
“Earlier, we had worked with schools and residents welfare associations. We would like to introduce this exercise in a few more temples in and around Adyar.”
