Himachal Pradesh govt initiative has roped in kids from 76 schools to check littering of non-biodegradable items

10,000 kids to prevent littering in Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh govt initiative has roped in kids from 76 schools to check littering of non-biodegradable items

These children, designated as 'eco-monitors', keep an eye on areas around their school to catch people who dump polythene bags, sachets, empty liquor bottles and clothes in the open.

On October 2, 2009, Himachal Pradesh banned the production, storage, use, sale and distribution of all types of polythene bags made of non-biodegradable material.

To make the campaign a success, the govt has decided to give the best performing school a cash prize of Rs 25,000

"We have initially selected 76 schools both private and government where teams of students from Standards V-XII have been constituted.

The teams visit the localities twice a week after school to check littering, especially of non-biodegradable items," said Madhu Soni, senior project consultant with the state pollution control board.

"In case somebody is repeatedly found strewing waste in the open, the students even embarrass the violator. They have been trained to virtually force the violator to retrieve the waste and dump it at a proper place," she said.

"If the violation continues, then the students inform their school principal. The principal further informs the deputy commissioner for penal action against defaulters," Soni added.

Ravi Sharma of the state council for science, technology and environment said the schools were roped in under phase three of the "Polythene Hatao, Paryavaran Bachao" campaign of the government launched September 25.

Neha Aggarwal, an eco-monitor, said, "Tourists are destroying our state by spreading trash. We will not allow it to happen. The government has decided to award a Green Trophy to every eco-monitor. "The best performing school would be given a cash prize of Rs 25,000," Soni said.

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