SHILLONG, Oct 3 - Durga Puja festivities in Meghalaya are going to be plastic-free with the Central Puja Committee (CPC) stating that all puja committees have been asked not to use plastic during the ensuing celebrations.
The CPC has urged all the puja committees not to use plastic as a material of decoration and instead use biodegradable items like earthen products, natural colours, paper and like materials. It has also called for use of eco-friendly idols made of clay, plaster of paris and natural dyes.
There are 242 puja committees in the State and all of them have been asked not to use plastic and instead use eco-friendly items during the celebrations, CPC general secretary JL Das said.
Out of the 242 pandals, 66 will be installed in the State capital. As many as 118 pandals will be put up in the four Khasi Hills districts and Ri-Bhoi. Besides, 110 pandals will be set up in the Garo Hills and 14 in the Jaintia Hills district, Das stated.
All puja pandals will be under CCTV surveillance and the State Government is making security arrangements in this regard.
The CPC has urged puja organisers to use energy-saving lights and also assist in recycling and disposing of waster after the puja celebrations.
Every year the CPC conducts a major cleanliness drive in the Wahumkhrah stream where the idols are immersed.
The CPC organised its annual inter-faith �Get-together of Harmony� recently in which leaders of different religion stressed the importance of peace and harmony.
