This Karnataka village is on its way to becoming plastic-free

The gram panchayat of Sriram Nagar village in Koppal district of Karnataka has initiated a drive to distribute cloth bags among the residents of this remote village, therefore providing an alternative to single-use plastic bags.

Koppal (Karnataka):At a time when the world is struggling to deal with their plastic waste, a tiny Karnataka village has shown the way in dealing with the menace.

The gram panchayat of Sriram Nagar village in Koppal district of Karnataka has initiated a drive to distribute cloth bags among the residents of this remote village.

The panchayat members have already distributed as many as 2,500 cloth bags among the villagers, which are to serve as an alternative to single-use plastic.

The initiative has been taken in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging Sarpanchs (village heads) across the country to ensure that their villages were free of single-use plastic.

"Modi has given a clarion call to eradicate plastic and the Karnataka government has also instructed each village to take measures to eradicate single-use plastic in their locality. We simply followed their instructions and went to each house appealing the people not to use plastic bags while distributing cloth bags, " said M J Ravikumar, a Panchayat member.

"The village residents have also extended their support to the cause," added Ravikumar.

After receiving the bags, the village residents have ensured their support to the drive while appreciating the intention behind the initiative.

"Panchayat members have given us cloth bags and have asked us to use them while we go shopping. It is a good effort and we will use the cloth bags from now on," said a woman resident of the village.

Apart from taking measures to curb the menace of plastic pollution, the Sriram Nagar gram panchayat has also championed the cause of cleanliness and has been honoured with the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for the same.