Kolipaka Prakash (40), a green activist and a private employee from Kazipet, launched a ‘padayatra’ from Hanamkonda to Medaram on Monday, spanning approximately 110 km, aiming to discourage the pilgrims attending the biennial Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara from using plastic products.
This marks his fourth such endeavour dedicated to environmental conservation. Clad in an attire resembling that of Mahatma Gandhi and wearing a green dhoti, Mr. Prakash aims to spread awareness on the detrimental impact of plastic use.
Expressing concern over the rampant use of plastic products, including water bottles, plates and cups, during the Medaram jatara despite repeated appeals from authorities, Mr. Prakash stressed the grave threat posed by the waste to the forest surrounding the Medaram shrine, situated within the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary. He plans to cover 25-30 km a day, passing through Mulugu, with the objective of reaching Medaram in four days, distributing informational pamphlets along the way to underscore the importance of avoiding plastic products.
