Panel releases action plan for green Kumbh

NASHIK: The action plan for a green Kumbh Mela that focuses on eliminating use of plastic, treating nirmalya and other bio-degradable waste, banning washing in the Godavari and an aggressive awareness drive was officially released on Saturday.
The city mayor and the revenue commissioner released the plan at a function at the Mahatma Phule Kaladalan, where the office of the Green Kumbh was also inaugurated on Saturday.They also released the logo of Green Kumbh.
As per the Bombay high court order in response to the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Godavari Gatarikaran Virodhi Manch against government officials for river pollution, an expert committee was formed. This committee headed by the revenue commissioner and comprising various government officials and members of the NGO will be spearheading the campaign for Green Kumbh.
With the official release of the action plan, the projects for the Green Kumbh are expected to be streamlined. The awareness campaign committee has already begun conducting various programmes in schools and colleges.
Revenue commissioner Eknath Davle explained the concept of gree Kumbh and the activities to be undertaken. "The activities will involve eliminating plastic, treating nirmalya and other bio-degradable waste, creating awareness about idol immersion, banning washing of clothes, animals and vehicles in the river and educating about cleanliness," he said.
He said the solid waste should be sorted and collected at the source of collection. Activities and projects under Green Kumbh are being carried out from August 15 and would continue till August 15, 2016. Swami Samvidanand Saraswati, who was present during the programme, said "We have to take care of nature." Swami Bhaktisharandas, district collector Vilas Patil, Kumbh Mela officer Mahesh Patil, actor Chinmay Udgirkar and others were present for the programme.
"In a short notice, the action plan and the office has been released. A centralised office was necessary to carry out Green Kumbh and that has been made available for us. We all have to work together for the Green Kumbh to take place," said Rajesh Pandit of the NGO.