Art and waste management can go hand in hand, and the latest testimony to this is a wall built entirely out of plastic bottles by an NGO, Hilldaari project, near Mussoorie.
A 1,500 feet long and 12 feet high ‘Wall of Hope’ constructed using 15,000 discarded bottles collected from in and around Mussoorie was unveiled by the gram Pradhan of Bunglow Ki Kandi village, Reena Rangal, near Mussoorie on Tuesday, 25 June.
The designer of this wall, Subodh Kerkar, is a founder of the museum of Goa.
Speaking to ANI, Arvind Shukla, the project director said, “In order to construct the wall, around 50 volunteers from school and colleges came forward. Locals of the village also took part in the initiative. They all worked effortlessly to make this project a success.”
Hilldaari project is operating with the CSR funds from a multinational company, and with this installation, it aims to increase awareness about plastic waste management and the significance of creating a plastic-free environment.
Hilldaari project tweeted, “If you close your fingers it becomes a fist, that’s the sign of strength.”
The wall with its beautiful shades of warm colours, gives the impression of a sunset and compliments the background of the hills. A similar prototype has been constructed in Goa as well.
While speaking to Hindustan Times, Sanjay Khajuria, director of corporate affairs of the MNC said, "The wall of hope signifies our collective commitment to increase awareness about plastic waste management, through upcycling, which is a creative way to reuse plastic water bottles. Through the wall of hope, our endeavour has been to use art to send a strong message of ‘litter free hills’. We hope that this collaboration will enable us to make an impact in the coming years and inspire change that paves way for a better and beautiful tomorrow.”
During the inauguration of the wall, veteran Sitar player, Surmani Agni Verma was seen working his magic.
"We really liked the way this wall was built. Now, our village is even looking more beautiful. It is a unique way to use plastic, people should learn from this initiative," Villager Seema Semwal told ANI.
While the Hilldaari team thanked waste-collectors, locals and restaurant owners for assisting them in the project, the Pradhan appreciated the team for teaching them various ways to use waste products.
In terms of the future of waste management, the wall shows what collective efforts and power of awareness can do, which is why it is rightly named, 'Wall of Hope.'
(With inputs from ANI, Hindustan Times)
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