Mission LiFE campaign targets single-use plastics in Odisha

A large-scale environmental awareness campaign under the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative was conducted across Puri, Baripada, Kendrapada, and Koraput in Odisha. The campaign, involving over 25,000 participants including students, tourists, and local residents, aimed to promote the elimination of single-use plastics and encourage sustainable living practices.

Organized by the Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) and the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with WWF-India and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the event featured mobile awareness chariots, educational stalls, and interactive activities. Participants were encouraged to take the ‘Mission LiFE Green Pledge’ to commit to waste segregation, resource conservation, and the reduction of plastic use.

The initiative also highlighted technological advancements in tracking pollution. Using satellite remote sensing and machine learning, a joint project by WWF-India and Automation Anywhere has mapped the movement of plastic waste from the Mahanadi River through to the Odisha coast. A new Mahanadi Litter Detection Dashboard has been developed to help authorities identify debris accumulation zones and target clean-up efforts to protect the marine ecosystem.