Students from Odisha government-run Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Berhampur have crafted a massive fish sculpture using discarded plastic bottles, aiming to combat plastic pollution. The sculpture, measuring 30 feet in length and weighing 1,500 kg, was assembled with the help of iron scraps.
Around 20,000 used plastic bottles of various sizes were collected, mostly from seashores, to construct the sculpture. Rajat Panigrahy, the Principal of ITI Berhampur, highlighted the significance of the sculpture in raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting cleanliness.
The sculpture, exhibited near the institute’s campus, serves as a reminder of the importance of the Swachhata Hi Seva (Cleanliness is Service) campaign. It underscores the urgent need to address plastic pollution, which poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems.
Principal Panigrahy emphasized the institute’s commitment to sustainable development goals, particularly focusing on conserving marine resources. The initiative aims to prevent plastic bottles from ending up in landfills or oceans, thereby safeguarding aquatic life.
This isn’t the first time ITI Berhampur students have utilized discarded materials for artistic purposes. Previously, they created sculptures like Dashavatar, Mahatma Gandhi, and former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, contributing to environmental awareness through innovative means.