Punjab PPCB Launches Plastic-Free Initiative for Hola Mohalla 2026

• 28 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has launched a special initiative to make the upcoming Hola Mohalla celebrations entirely free from single‑use plastic, promoting sustainable and environment‑friendly festivities.

Key Points:

• Objective: The PPCB’s campaign aims to eliminate the use of single‑use plastic items during the Hola Mohalla festival, which traditionally attracts large crowds and generates significant disposable plastic waste.
• Collaboration: The initiative is supported by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), with appeals made to langar committees to avoid plastic plates, cups, and bags.
  • The PPCB Chairperson announced that biodegradable plates and bowls will be provided free of cost to langar organisers to encourage the use of eco‑friendly materials. 
• Festival: Hola Mohalla 2026 is scheduled from 27 February to 3 March at Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab.
• Problem of Single‑Use Plastic: Despite an official ban on single‑use plastic in the state, large events like Hola Mohalla have historically seen heavy use of disposable plastic, contributing to littering of roads, fields, and water bodies.
• Impact: The initiative seeks to combine regulatory enforcement with behavioural change by offering practical alternatives and raising awareness among devotees and organisers, thus reducing plastic pollution and supporting solid waste management.
• Significance: This drive reflects an effort to integrate environmental sustainability into cultural and religious events, aligning community celebrations with broader goals of plastic reduction and ecological protection.

Read More: Pollution Control Board,  Hola Mohalla, Single‑use plastic,  Plastic pollution