MYSORE, Karnataka — The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has launched a renewed campaign to combat plastic pollution on Chamundi Hills, a sacred and ecologically sensitive site, as thousands of devotees prepare to ascend the hill during the upcoming Ashada month festivities. In a public appeal issued this week, the MCC has called on religious organizations, volunteers, traders, and pilgrims to support its “Clean Chamundi Hill–Plastic-Free Ashada Month” initiative, warning of stricter enforcement against littering and the use of single-use plastics.
The campaign underscores growing concerns over environmental degradation at one of Karnataka’s most revered pilgrimage destinations, where unchecked plastic waste has marred the landscape during previous festivals. With Ashada month—a period of heightened religious activity—set to begin in July, authorities are bracing for an influx of visitors to the Chamundeshwari Temple, a 12th-century shrine dedicated to the goddess Chamundeshwari, perched atop the 1,065-meter hill.
What Happened: A Campaign with Teeth
The MCC’s statement, released on Wednesday, framed environmental protection as a “collective responsibility,” urging stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices. While the corporation has not yet disclosed specific penalties for violations, officials confirmed that enforcement will align with Karnataka’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which prohibit the manufacture, sale, and use of certain single-use plastic items, including carry bags, cutlery, and packaging materials.
Key components of the campaign include:
– Heightened monitoring: Deployment of additional sanitation staff and surveillance teams to deter littering and illegal plastic use.
– Awareness drives: Distribution of pamphlets and public announcements in Kannada, English, and Tamil—languages commonly spoken by pilgrims—to educate visitors on waste segregation and eco-friendly alternatives.
– Trader compliance: A directive to local vendors to replace plastic bags, cups, and plates with biodegradable or reusable options. The MCC has warned of fines or license suspensions for non-compliant businesses.
– Volunteer mobilization: Collaboration with religious groups, NGOs, and youth organizations to conduct clean-up drives and promote the campaign’s message.
The MCC’s appeal comes amid reports of persistent plastic waste accumulation along the 14-kilometer road leading to the temple, as well as at vantage points and resting areas frequented by tourists. In 2023, the corporation collected over 12 metric tons of plastic waste from Chamundi Hills during Ashada month alone, according to internal records reviewed by Herald Express. The figure represents a 30% increase from 2022, despite previous bans and awareness campaigns.
Why It Matters: Sacred Site, Environmental Crisis
Chamundi Hills is not merely a religious landmark but a critical ecological zone within the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity. The hill’s slopes are home to endemic flora and fauna, including the Indian giant squirrel and several species of orchids, while its forests act as a carbon sink and water recharge zone for Mysuru district.
However, the site’s dual role as a pilgrimage and tourist destination has strained its carrying capacity. The Chamundeshwari Temple attracts over 5 million visitors annually, with numbers swelling during Ashada month—a period when devotees undertake the “Chamundi Betta Darshana” (pilgrimage to the hill) to seek blessings. The surge in footfall has exacerbated waste management challenges, with plastic waste—particularly water bottles, food wrappers, and polythene bags—clogging drainage systems, contaminating soil, and posing threats to wildlife.
Environmental activists have long warned that unchecked pollution could irreparably damage the hill’s fragile ecosystem. “Plastic waste doesn’t just degrade the aesthetic value of Chamundi Hills; it leaches toxins into the soil, harms grazing animals, and disrupts the natural water flow,” said Dr. S. Ravichandra, a professor of environmental science at the University of Mysore. “The hill’s slopes are steep, and waste often slides down during monsoons, polluting water bodies in the surrounding villages.”
The MCC’s campaign also aligns with broader national and state-level commitments to reduce plastic pollution. In 2022, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) identified Mysuru as one of the state’s “hotspots” for plastic waste generation, citing inadequate segregation and disposal infrastructure. The city’s Mysuru Model of waste management—once hailed as a national benchmark—has faced criticism in recent years for failing to adapt to the growing volume of non-biodegradable waste.
Background and Context: A Decade of Failed Bans
The MCC’s latest initiative is not its first attempt to curb plastic pollution on Chamundi Hills. In 2016, the corporation imposed a blanket ban on single-use plastics within a 5-kilometer radius of the temple, following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by environmental groups. The ban, however, was poorly enforced, with vendors and pilgrims continuing to flout regulations due to a lack of alternatives and weak monitoring.
A 2019 audit by the KSPCB found that 60% of waste collected from Chamundi Hills was non-biodegradable, with plastic accounting for the bulk of it. The report highlighted systemic gaps, including:
– Inadequate waste segregation: Pilgrims and vendors often mixed plastic with organic waste, complicating recycling efforts.
– Limited enforcement: Sanitation staff were overwhelmed by the volume of waste, and penalties were rarely imposed.
– Lack of alternatives: Biodegradable packaging was scarce and prohibitively expensive for small vendors.
In response, the MCC introduced compulsory waste segregation in 2020 and partnered with NGOs to distribute jute bags and leaf plates to devotees. While these measures led to a 15% reduction in plastic waste in 2021, the gains were short-lived. The post-pandemic surge in tourism and the proliferation of online food delivery services—which rely heavily on plastic packaging—reversed the progress, according to MCC officials.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty: Will This Time Be Different?
The success of the MCC’s latest campaign hinges on three critical factors: enforcement, public cooperation, and the availability of affordable alternatives. However, skepticism abounds, given the history of unfulfilled promises.
# 1. Enforcement Challenges
Past campaigns have faltered due to inconsistent monitoring and political interference. Local vendors, who form a powerful lobby, have previously resisted bans, arguing that plastic is indispensable for hygiene and cost-effectiveness. “We support the ban in principle, but the government must provide us with viable alternatives,” said Ramesh Kumar, president of the Mysuru Street Vendors Association. “Biodegradable plates cost three times as much as plastic ones. Who will bear that cost?”
The MCC has not yet clarified whether it will subsidize eco-friendly alternatives for traders or offer amnesty periods for compliance. In 2023, a similar campaign in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park collapsed after vendors staged protests, forcing authorities to relax enforcement.
# 2. Public Compliance
Devotees, particularly those from rural areas, often view plastic as a convenience and may resist carrying reusable bags or containers. “Many pilgrims travel long distances and rely on bottled water and packaged food,” noted Geetha Shivakumar, a volunteer with the Chamundi Hills Cleanliness Forum. “Without accessible water refill stations or affordable food stalls using biodegradable packaging, compliance will remain low.”
The MCC has promised to install additional waste bins and water ATMs along the pilgrimage route, but details on their locations and maintenance remain unclear.
# 3. Corporate and Institutional Accountability
While the MCC’s campaign targets individual behavior, environmentalists argue that corporate accountability is equally critical. “Single-use plastics are pushed by large corporations, not just local vendors,” said Leo Saldanha, coordinator of the Environment Support Group (ESG), a Bengaluru-based NGO. “The government must hold fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies responsible for the waste they generate. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms, which mandate companies to collect and recycle their packaging, are poorly enforced in Karnataka.”
The KSPCB has identified PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Parle Agro as major contributors to plastic waste in Mysuru, but enforcement of EPR regulations has been lax. In 2023, the KSPCB imposed fines totaling ₹1.2 crore on these companies for non-compliance, but activists argue that penalties are too lenient to drive meaningful change.
What to Watch Next: Key Indicators of Success
As Ashada month approaches, several developments will signal whether the MCC’s campaign can break the cycle of failed enforcement:
1. Penalties and Prosecutions
– Will the MCC impose fines on vendors or devotees found using banned plastics? Past campaigns saw fewer than 10 prosecutions despite widespread violations.
– Will the corporation publicly name and shame repeat offenders, as it did in 2022 with a list of non-compliant hotels?
2. Alternative Infrastructure
– Will the MCC subsidize biodegradable packaging for vendors, or will costs be passed on to consumers?
– Are there plans to expand water refill stations and ban plastic bottles at the temple premises?
3. Public Participation
– Will religious leaders and local influencers actively promote the campaign? In 2021, the Mysuru Dasara Festival Committee endorsed a plastic ban, but compliance remained low.
– Will the MCC mobilize volunteers for real-time monitoring, as seen in Tirupati’s “Green Tirumala” initiative?
4. Corporate Compliance
– Will the KSPCB strictly enforce EPR norms on FMCG companies operating in Mysuru?
– Will the state government fast-track approvals for biodegradable packaging manufacturers to meet demand?
5. Waste Management Data
– Will the MCC publish daily waste collection data during Ashada month to track progress?
– Will there be a post-festival audit to assess the campaign’s impact, as recommended by the KSPCB in 2023?
Conclusion: A Test for Mysuru’s Environmental Commitment
The MCC’s “Clean Chamundi Hill–Plastic-Free Ashada Month” campaign is a litmus test for Mysuru’s ability to reconcile its cultural heritage with environmental sustainability. While the initiative reflects growing awareness of plastic pollution’s toll on sacred sites, its success will depend on political will, corporate accountability, and public participation—factors that have eluded previous efforts.
For now, the hill’s fate hangs in the balance. If the campaign falters, Chamundi Hills may continue to drown in plastic, its slopes a stark reminder of the gap between policy and practice. But if it succeeds, it could set a precedent for other pilgrimage sites grappling with similar crises, from Varanasi’s Ganga ghats to Tirupati’s temple town.
One thing is certain: the eyes of environmentalists, devotees, and policymakers will be on Mysuru this Ashada month. The question is whether the city can rise to the occasion—or whether Chamundi Hills will remain a symbol of both divine grace and human neglect.
*Story synopsis gathered from: [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/mcc-warns-against-littering-use-of-plastic
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
