One of the most sacred Sikh shrines, the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Connaught Place, New Delhi, is frequented by hordes of people irrespective of their religion. Managed by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Bangla Sahib has decided to ban the use of plastic within the complex. 

This move is not only an attempt towards making India plastic free but is also part of the programme to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. This directive has ordered a mandatory ban on the usage of all kinds of plastic including single-use plastic items like disposable plates, glasses, spoons, and cups. The management plans to switch to more eco - friendly options like steel utensils to serve water and langar. The ban on plastic  has been enforced on 11 other Gurudwaras managed by the committee in the national capital. 

Reports claim that more than 5000 plastic items are used every day to distribute food items to the devotees. These have now been replaced with jute bags and leaf plates. 

The DSGMC has also set up a recycling plant to manage tonnes of &lsquolangar&rsquo waste and dry leaves and flowers and convert  it into organic manure and vermicompost. The fully automatic waste disposal plant will be installed on a temporary basis to experiment with the zero - waste model. 

Adopting more eco friendly practices, the committee has already switched to gas pipeline to prepare the langar, banning the use of wood and charcoal. In addition, the committee has also started an awareness drive to educate the devotees to maintain cleanliness.