Assam: Youth leads fight against plastic with ‘Kaziranga Bamboo Bottle’

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT: At a time when the world is actively exploring alternatives to single-use plastic, a young eco-warrior from Kaziranga has taken it upon himself to revolutionize plastic use by introducing a sustainable alternative—bamboo bottles made from traditional Assamese bamboo, known locally as ‘Chunga.’ Since 2019, Chandan Nath has been welcoming domestic and international tourists to Kaziranga with these unique bamboo bottles, earning praise and popularity.

His creation, known as the ‘Kaziranga Bamboo Bottle,’ not only serves as an eco-friendly replacement for plastic bottles but also offers a refreshing experience for users. Tourists enjoy drinking water from these bamboo containers, taking photos and selfies with them, and carrying them home as memorable souvenirs. The words ‘Kaziranga Bamboo Bottle’ engraved on each piece have become a symbol of responsible tourism and environmental consciousness.

Foreign tourists visiting Kaziranga have also expressed admiration for this innovative step towards a plastic-free environment. Chandan Nath has even gifted the bottles to notable personalities like Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana and former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster. His initiative has attracted attention from national media as well.

Chandan has received multiple honours for his environmental efforts with felicitation by Bokakhat Subdivision Administration, awards from environmental organizations like GRASS and Helping Hand, recognition as ‘Nature Benefactor’ in 2024, and being featured in both the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for his unique bamboo alternative to plastic bottles.

In addition to promoting the use of bamboo, Chandan and local conscious citizens have emphasized its widespread adoption in tourism, picnics, public events, and community functions. Substituting plastic with bamboo bottles, cups, banana leaves, and clay utensils not only protects the environment but also boosts local employment and business opportunities.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation in 2019 to avoid single-use plastics. However, enforcement of such bans remains limited in many areas. Chandan Nath’s grassroots revolution stands as a powerful model, and it remains to be seen how authorities and policymakers support and scale up such pioneering efforts.

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