Mangalore University leads campaign against plastic pollution

Media Release

September 19, 2019

Mangaluru, Sept 19: Mangalore University (‘Mangala Yojane’ - Village Adoption Programme), under the auspices of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education – Govt of India, has organized a public awareness campaign against plastic pollution. The programme was conducted to observe ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’, an initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission, in Konaje and Phajeer Grama Panchyat limits. Students and research scholars of M.Sc. Biosciences and Environmental Science, teaching and non-teaching faculty members of various Departments of the University went on a parade with slogans and distribution of handbills along with the eco-friendly handbag to sensitive general public on single use plastic free and effective management of plastic disposal.

Prof. A. M. Khan, Registrar, Mangalore University released the handbills and addressed the gathering, “Chemical released from plastic items are one of the major causative factors for high rate of cancers today, and plastic wastes also act as breeding centres for mosquitoes spreading contagious diseases such malaria, dengue, chikungunya, etc. It is inevitable to make our environment free from plastic pollution to safeguard our own health and nature”.

Mr. Nazar Sha Pattori, president of Konaje Grama Panchayath handed over the eco-friendly bag and said in his speech that before 1947 our ancestors have fought against British for the independence; today we have to fight against very dangerous pollutant to make the Swacch Bharat dream come true. Public support is very much needed to make our country single use plastic free and reduce the pollution.

Dr. Prashantha Naik, Chairman, Dept of Biosciences and Convenor of the event delivered the preamble of the program and welcomed the gathering. The Single use plastic items such as carry bags, plates, cups, straw, spoons, water bottle, etc. which constitute 40% of plastic products are major causative factors for plastic pollution and associated health hazards. We need to stop using single use plastic things to mitigate the negative impact of plastic pollution. Dr. Tharavathy N.C., Coordinator- Environmental Science PG program, proposed the vote of thanks and said that because of our mistakes polluting the nature, not only we ourselves suffer, but also the lives of other organisms are in danger.

Members of Konaje Grama Panchayath, including Smt. Muttu N. Shetty, Mr. Achutha Gatti, Mr. A. Ravindra, Mr. Harishchandra Shettigar, Smt. Vedavathi Gatti. Mr. Mohammed Iqbal were present. Mr. Narasimiah N., Dr. Sharath Chandra K., Mrs. Laveen K.B., Mr. Diwakar M.S., Mr. Chaniyappa led the procession.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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