Adilabad: Plates and cups made of leaves for the first time will replace the plastic material at Adivasi Nagoba jatara in Indravelli mandal. The authorities are making efforts to make the Nagoba Jatara plastic free.

The jatara will start with the traditional puja to the serpentine god called Nagoba by the members of the Mesram clan on January 27 to February 6. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to attend ‘Darbar’ at the temple.

The self-help groups were asked to supply 5,000 plates (vistharlu) and cups made of leaves from each mandal to be used at the jatara in Adilabad district.

The ITDA authorities arranged training to members of the self-help groups in making plates and cups with leaves probably Mothuda leaves.

ITDA will arrange free meals to the members of the Mesram clan during the jatara. Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Utnoor is trying to create awareness about the importance of using paper and cotton bags among people especially devotees at Nagoba temple.The government issued orders banning the use of plastic covers, banners, and posters from January 1 in the state.

The Indira Kranthi Patham officials are busy supplying plates and cups made of leaves for the jatara. Paper bags manufactured by Tribal Cooperative Society would be put up for sale during the jatara.

Assistant project officer (general), ITDA, Utnoor Kumra Nagorao said they are imposing ban on use of plastic at the Nagoba Jatara. Thousands of Adivasis from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and bordering Maharashtra will attend the jatara which has been declared as a state festival.

Minister for endowment Allola Indrakaran Reddy has sanctioned Rs 4.50 crore including Rs 50 lakh for Nagoba Jatra and Rs 4 crore for the development works at the temple. Efforts are being made for the construction of Koneru (bathing ghat) in the temple premises.