Odisha’s Mega Drive Against Single‑Use Plastics Gains Momentum
The initiative, organised under Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) by the Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) of the Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, brought together more than 25,000 participants across Puri, Baripada, Kendrapada, and Koraput.
The campaign featured an Awareness Rath at Puri Sea Beach, interactive stalls showcasing eco‑friendly alternatives, and youth‑centric competitions to spread the message.
Visitors pledged at selfie booths to reduce plastic use, segregate waste, and conserve resources.
In a pioneering move, WWF‑India and Automation Anywhere introduced satellite remote sensing and machine learning to track plastic litter along the Mahanadi river system.
The Mahanadi Litter Detection Dashboard now helps authorities monitor debris movement from Chhattisgarh to Odisha’s coast, strengthening cleanup strategies.
Officials emphasised that citizens must adopt the principles of reduce, refuse, and responsibly dispose to protect Odisha’s fragile marine ecosystem.
The campaign highlights how community action, youth engagement, and technology can converge to tackle one of the most pressing environmental challenges.
