Jalpaiguri, April 15 -- In a notable effort to curb environmental pollution during the election season, Ward No. 20 councillor Shubhra Deb and Congress ward president Mridul Deb have adopted eco-friendly practices in their campaign for Congress candidate Sudipta Mohanta in the Jalpaiguri Sadar Assembly Constituency.

At a time when election campaigns across the district are dominated by plastic flex banners, synthetic posters and flags put up by major political parties such as the CPI(M), Trinamool Congress and BJP, the initiative stands out for its sustainable approach. These conventional campaign materials, while visually striking, often remain in place long after elections or end up as non-biodegradable waste, contributing significantly to environmental pollution.

Breaking away from this trend, these two Congress leaders have consciously avoided the use of plastic and fibre-based materials. Instead, they are using eco-friendly alternatives such as bamboo, wood, cloth, coconut fibre and jute ropes. Campaign messages are being hand-painted on cloth using herbal or readily available colours and mounted on bamboo or wooden frames across the ward. Additionally, party flags are being tied to trees using jute ropes instead of nails to prevent damage, while paper posters are affixed using flour-based adhesive, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Explaining the initiative, Mridul Deb said that environmental awareness has long been a part of his work, including distributing saplings and promoting eco-friendly Durga Puja practices. "If plastic and fibre materials continue to be used during elections, they will eventually turn into waste and harm the environment. Through this initiative, we hope others will also adopt sustainable practices," he said.

The move has received appreciation from local residents. Sourav Das, a resident of the area, noted that discarded hoardings and posters often contribute to pollution. "This initiative is truly commendable and sets an example for others," he said.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.