In the light of water bodies near pilgrimage centres getting polluted, Forest Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has directed officials to act against the use of soap and shampoo and stop plimgrims from discarding used clothes near them after bathing.
The Minister has asked the officials to take steps to ban the sale of soaps and shampoos within 500 m from the water bodies such as rivers, streams, ponds, and temple kalyanis. The shampoo sachets and soaps are currently easily available near such water bodies, he said and asked Forest Department officials to coordinate with officials of other departments to ensure action. He also said that people, out of superstitious beliefs, discard used clothes and piles of such clothes can be seen at several pilgrimage centres.
The directive to the officials said that it had been noted that half-used shampoo sachets and soaps and their covers, being thrown by pilgrims, eventually get into the water bodies and pollute them. “The aquatic animals are dying due to pollution, and people and cattle consuming the polluted water are falling sick,” it said.
Published – March 09, 2025 08:19 pm IST
