Bhubaneswar: In another initiative to prevent people from using polyethylene, which poses a major threat to environment and causes health hazard, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced to impose ban on use of plastic from October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

The plastic will be banned in all the municipal corporations and Pilgrim city Puri from October 2 in first phase. Later, the use of plastic will be completely banned across Odisha in next two years, Patnaik said while giving message on environment awareness during a programme 'Ama Mukhyamantri Ama Katha' at state secretariat here today.

With implementation of order from October 2, the plastic bags, polyethylenes and single use plastic materials will be completely banned across the state.

The Housing & Urban Development department and Panchayatiraj department have been asked for executing the order in urban and rural areas respectively. The Forest & Environment department will monitor the plastic pollution control work across the state.

Laying emphasis on environment safety, Chief Minister Patnaik suggested everyone to plant a sapling each during rainy season and take care of it.

"If we all plant tree and take care of it, the environment will be protected and the human beings live in good condition and we can work for the development of our family and society," he said.

Patnaik expressed his satisfaction over the increase of green cover in the state than the national average.