123 Santiniketan: After five years, the traditional Poush Mela is set to be an eco-friendly fair at the Purba Palli fairground. Acting VC of Visva-Bharati, Binay Kumar Soren, and environmentalist Subhas Dutta discussed the NGT guidelines and how to maintain pollution-control factors at Visva-Bharati on Tuesday.
Soren said, "The fair will be eco-friendly, but the duration is yet to be decided. The decision is pending approval from executive committee." The fair will be organised by Santiniketan Trust with assistance from VB. "Environmentalist Dutta has assured his support. Preliminary talks have been held with the administration and formal communication will follow," Soren said.
Dutta said as per court orders, he, along with the State Pollution Control Board chairman Kalyan Rudra and former advocate general Jayanta Mitra are lifetime members of Santiniketan Poush Mela Observation Committee. However, they will work as a team rather than observers.
The fair will be plastic-free, bio-toilets will be in place and there will be check on sound levels.