The district administration will intensify its campaign for a plastic-free Sabarimala, District Collector R. Girija has said. She told reporters on Wednesday that film actor Mohanlal too would campaign for the cause.
A short film, featuring Mr. Mohanlal, with a message to keep plastic away even from the Irumudikkettu would be screened on the video wall at Pampa throughout the pilgrim season.
Ms. Girija said the Clean Sabarimala project launched by the Sanitation Mission at Sabarimala was a success and the plastic waste accumulation at Pampa and vicinity had come down considerably. The next phase would concentrate on total exclusion of plastic from the Irumudikkettu, she said. Pilgrims would be advised to use biodegradable materials such as cloth, paper, or leaves, instead of plastic, for packing articles in the Irumudikkettu, she said.
The administration would launch a campaign against throwing clothes into the Pampa. An announcement, stressing the need to keep the Pampa clean, would be made in five languages. An awareness campaign against plastic waste would be carried out with the help of Kudumbasree workers and students. Arrangements would be made to provide cloth bags to pilgrims in exchange of the plastic bags they carry.
Emergency medical units
The Collector said 15 emergency medical units would be deployed at Sabarimala and on the forest paths. Village officers had been asked to take safety measures at 142 kadavus (bathing ghats) in the Pampa and Achencoil river where pilgrims bathe. Accident-prone kadavus would be closed, she said.
