THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government on Tuesday called upon other south-Indian states to spread the message of ‘safe darshan’ and clean environment among devotees from their respective states during the three-month Mandalavilakku season, starting November 15.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said this to ministers in charge of Devaswoms of southern states during a meeting for a final review of preparations of Sabarimala pilgrimage. Saying that all necessary arrangements were in place for smooth conduct of the same, he said cooperation of all southern states was needed for its peaceful conduct. “Fragile environment and pollution are a great concern. Though plastic water bottles have been banned at Sannidhanam and Pampa, people bring them. It has to be discouraged. There should be a massive campaign against bringing plastic bottles to the pilgrim site,” said Vijayan, asking the states to launch an awareness campaign for the same.
Admitting that the ban on plastic bottles posed certain practical problems, Vijayan said the government had made alternative arrangements to provide safe drinking water to pilgrims. The Sabarimala high-powered committee and Dewaswam Board had announced to make drinking water kiosks available before the onset of the season.