THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PARADEEP, FEBRUARY 21, 2026
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India
(AM/NS India), in association with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board
(SPCB), promoted plastic-free community spaces across various locations in
Odisha as part of its sustained commitment to a pollution-free environment. The
programme was designed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of
single-use plastics on human health, animals, and marine life while encouraging
behavioural change at the grassroots level.
The team of Paradeep Pellet Plant, AM/NS India, in collaboration with the
Regional Office of the SPCB, Paradeep, organised an extensive awareness
campaign that featured mass oath-taking, followed by the distribution of
informative leaflets on Do’s and Don’ts at prominent community spaces and
picnic spots. Permanent signboards carrying messages on the prohibition of
single-use plastic were also installed at both gates of the Baba Gorakhnath
Temple premises, keeping in view the large daily turnout of devotees and the
nearby areas frequently used for social gatherings and recreational activities.
The programme was graced by Puskar Chandra Behera, Regional Officer,
SPCB, Paradeep, as the Chief Guest, along with senior officials of AM/NS India
including C.H. Hariprasad, Plant Head, Paradeep Pellet Plant, SPL, AM/NS Ports,
Suvendu Kumar Dash, Head–Environment, Odisha, Debadatta Das,
Manager–Environment, Pellet Plant Complex, Paradeep, and members of the Temple
Trust. Over 200 participants, comprising AM/NS employees, local residents, and
devotees, joined the initiative with notable enthusiasm and pledged their
support for a plastic-free environment.
Puskar Chandra Behera highlighted the dangers posed by single-use
plastics, urged citizens to avoid their use, and encouraged the adoption of
biodegradable alternatives in alignment with the campaign’s objectives.
C.H. Hariprasad and Suvendu Kumar Dash elaborated on various categories
of single-use plastics, emphasised the need for sustainable resource
utilisation, underlined the importance of maintaining harmony between nature
and society, and advocated the integration of eco-friendly practices into daily
life.
Extending the initiative, AM/NS India launched a weeklong Plastic-Free
Campaign at the Gadachandi Picnic Spot in Hadagarh, Anandpur, Keonjhar, in
collaboration with the Regional Office, SPCB, Keonjhar, and the State Forest
Department, Keonjhar. The campaign was inaugurated by Marshal Kisku, Range
Officer, Hadagarh Range Office, in the presence of the local sarpanch, members
of the Gadachandi Temple Committee, and AM/NS officials.
Kisku cautioned against the adverse environmental impact of plastic waste and called for the use of biodegradable materials. He observed that at the Gadachandi Picnic Spot, located near forest areas, large quantities of plastic waste generated during picnics harm flora and fauna, contaminate water sources, and contribute to biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance.
As part of the initiative, leaflets, paper plates, and paper glasses were distributed at both locations to discourage plastic use and promote biodegradable alternatives. The campaign focused on ensuring environmental cleanliness, preserving ecological balance, and fostering sustained public awareness for a greener and more sustainable future.
