This chalta-firta dustbin in Odisha has taken the plunge against plastic pollution

Bishnu Bhagat, a 36-year-old local of Baripada, Mayurbhanj district dresses himself in polethene bags to create awareness among children about pollution caused by polythene. 

Bishnu Bhagat is popularly known as chalta-firta dustbin in Baripada in Mayurbhanj, Odisha (ANI photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Bhagat said that the idea stemmed when he once saw a cow chewing a plastic bag
• District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj Vineet Bharadwaj lauded Bhagat's efforts
• India generates about 25,940 tons of plastic and more than 97,000 tons of solid waste per day

An Odisha man has taken the next step in creating awareness about the disadvantages of using plastic and its ill-effects on the environment.

Bishnu Bhagat, a 36-year-old local of Baripada, Mayurbhanj district dresses himself in polythene bags to create awareness among children about pollution caused by polythene.

"I dress up this way to spread the message that polythene is bad and shouldn't be used," Bhagat said.

Popularly known as 'chalta-firta dustbin', Bhagat said that the idea stemmed when he once saw a cow chewing a plastic bag filled with food that was thrown by a man moments earlier.

District Magistrate of Mayurbhanj Vineet Bharadwaj lauded Bhagat's efforts, saying his efforts could turn into a mass movement in the district.

In June, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change revealed that India generates about 25,940 tons of plastic and more than 97,000 tons of solid waste per day.

On June 5 World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also stressed on the need of reducing plastic consumption.