How Maha Kumbh 2025 Is Going Plastic-Free & Eco-Friendly?
Maha Kumbh Mela is going plastic-free and eco-friendly through the "One Plate, One Bag" campaign, promoting sustainability with reusable items and waste management efforts.
India is hosting the grand Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and this year, the event is making a big push towards sustainability. The Kumbh Mela, a major religious pilgrimage, is not only focusing on spirituality but also on protecting the environment. In an effort to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly practices, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has launched the “One Plate, One Bag” campaign.
You can watch more about this initiative in the video released by ISH here: https://youtu.be/WZ2_0Ms6AbM
Launched by RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal, the “One Plate, One Bag” campaign aims to eliminate single-use plastics at the Kumbh Mela and replace them with sustainable alternatives. Under this initiative, RSS is distributing cloth bags, steel plates, and steel glasses to pilgrims and vendors at the event.
As of 16th January 2025, over 70,000 cloth bags and more than 2 million steel plates and glasses have been distributed to visitors, food stalls, and communal kitchens (langars) at the Mela grounds. RSS Prant Prachar Pramukh, Murar Tripathi, said, “The distribution of reusable utensils and bags is a small step toward a larger goal of environmental preservation.”
Along with this initiative, the use of disposable plastic items such as straws, carry bags, and cutlery has been completely banned for both visitors and vendors. Instead, private vendors are now using banana leaves and jute containers to serve food, avoiding plastic plates and cups.
Water is being supplied in biodegradable bottles or through hydration points across the grounds. Colour-coded dustbins have been set up for segregating biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable waste. Special teams have been formed to manage the waste separation and recycling process.
To spread awareness, there are posters, banners, and street performances throughout the Mela grounds. Regular workshops and online campaigns are being held to educate both visitors and vendors about the importance of the no-plastic rule.
Vendors and visitors who follow the eco-friendly guidelines and make efforts to reduce waste are being rewarded with rebates and special tokens. This initiative is motivating people to actively participate in the event’s green efforts.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 is setting an example of how a religious and cultural event can go hand-in-hand with sustainability. With an expected 40 to 45 crore visitors, the Mela is not just preserving tradition but also making history by being eco-friendly. This initiative will leave a lasting impact and show the world how large-scale events can balance spiritual and environmental goals.
Let’s hope that this eco-friendly approach continues to inspire similar events across the country.
