Plastic menace prompts fresh cleanliness drive at Chamundi Hills

Mysuru: Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority will issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb plastic menace and maintain cleanliness round the clock atop Chamundi Hills.The development authority manages the Sri Chamudeshwari temple atop Chamundi Hills, which is one of the most popular spiritual, religious and tourist destinations in Mysuru and one of the highest revenue-generating muzrai temples in Karnataka. The temple draws devotees all through the year.Even though the govt has banned single-use plastic materials atop the hill shrine, heaps of cups, plates and other plastic items continue to be found there.

With mounds of garbage piling up, dealing with such waste has become a challenge due to lack of coordination between muzrai, local bodies and the forest department.Following directions from Mysuru division regional commissioner Nitesh Patil, Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority has decided to come out with SOPs to curb this plastic menace. The development authority has deployed additional civic workers, along with existing staff, and started a thrice-weekly cleanliness drive, including temple premises, staircases, parking lots, shops and streets among other places.

Speaking to TOI, regional commissioner Nitesh Patil, who is also the administrator of Mysuru City Corporation, said he has issued directives to Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority to boost cleanliness initiatives. “I have told them to ensure interdepartmental coordination to achieve the desired results,” he said.