Giri-pradikshana around Simahchalam hill, Vizag
E very year in an extraordinary expression of faith Vizag witnesses this holy occasion usually on the road around the Simachalam hill. Lakhs of men women and children participate. Unfortunately this event contributes the highest volume of plastic in a single day to Vizag's environment. Well meaning organisations supply water sachets all along the way without bothering to put collection bins for used sachets. Within hours of the event's start the entire 32 km stretch is covered with plastic sachets requiring an army of workers to clean up afterwards straining our municipal corporation. With 3L people doing the Pradakshana and each person consuming 4-6 packets of water, and many washing their heads and faces with this water, more than 15 lakh or 1.5 million or more sachets line the route. Seeing this is a shocking site. If Cleanliness is next to Godliness this does not demonstrate it. As Vizag's recycling system is not streamlined all these sachets end u