To make the society a plastic and smoking-free zone, residents and AOA of Mahagun Moderne, a high rise in Sector 78 of Noida, launched a month-long awareness campaign yesterday.
The move adds teeth to an order issued by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on July 6 that called upon all local government bodies to ditch the use of plastic — cups, glass and polythene bags — in the state.
The order came into effect from July 15.
The initiative at Mahagun Moderne was also spurred by incidents of waterlogging across the city. One of the factors that contributed to the mayhem was plastic — littered thoughtlessly, they ended up in the storm water drains choking them.
Sandeep Chauhan, AOA president of Mahagun Moderne, opined, “People should make a difference now —it has to start from our own homes. It’s no use blaming the authorities and builders for all ills. The AOA requests all to circulate the message on WhatsApp and other platforms to help raise awareness about the issue.”
He continued, “To make this initiative a success, we told the security guards to stop residents who enter the society with plastic bags, and ask them to not use such bags in future. We also told the society market and the market outside to follow the government order and guidelines, otherwise residents will boycott the shops.”
The residents have also been asked to not smoke in the common and public areas of the society like the parking area, garden and elsewhere.
Plans are afoot to organise painting competitions on both the issues on Independence Day. Jute bags will be given out as well on the day to encourage a plastic-free lifestyle.
“Work is also on to chalk out a suitable waste-disposal plan, and we will soon issue guidelines for the same,” Chauhan added.