Minister warns of action against littering at tourist picnic spots in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The govt on Tuesday decided to take strong action against people littering tourist places during picnics.Forest, environment and climate change department minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia gave a stern warning that revellers would face action if they pollute picnic and tourist places. He added that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) was asked to keep an eye on the situation and take requisite steps.With New Year around the corner, people are thronging picnic spots at multiple locations across the state, including ecotourism destinations, where polythene carry bags are banned. After violation of plastic ban at picnic spots caught the notice of the forest department, the minister issued the warning. “Pollution in the name of picnic and merry-making will not be tolerated.”“Picnickers are under the watch of the OSPCB. The pollution panel issued an advisory in this regard. People need to understand and behave responsibly while going for a picnic,” the minister said.Officials said non-biodegradable items should not be thrown at picnic sites, as they will not reduce to compost, thus harming the environment in the long run.The department is already concerned about air pollution in big towns and cities of Odisha, including its capital. In the first week of December, Bhubaneswar’s air quality plunged to the poor category, recording an average AQI of 270 — one of the worst after Delhi’s 318 then. Experts blamed incomplete road work, dried-up exposed soil and mechanical sweeping for the spike, with PM 2.5 levels being alarmingly high. These fine particles, known to trigger pulmonary diseases, emerged as the biggest concern after the spiked AQI.“While air pollution in winter is a big concern, littering of picnic places and popular hangout zones further escalates the pollution pressure on the environment. The littered polythene carry bags also gather dust and pollute the ambient air,” said a forest department officer.In December last year, the industrial town of Angul was rated the fourth-most polluted city in the country in terms of ambient air pollution, with an AQI of 323. Talcher, its neighbour, took the sixth spot with an AQI of 302.