Sambalpur, March 22: Around 1,200 people turned up for a mini-marathon here today to promote the initiative of a making the city polythene-free.

The marathon started from the Nelson Mandela Chhak, passed through Golebazar Chhak, Laxmi Talkies Chhak, G.M. College Chhak and Budharaja area before ending on the public health department ground.

The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation organised the event in association with the Clean Sambalpur Youth Forum, JCI Sambalpur, and Shyam Metallic.

All government officials, including the revenue divisional commissioner (north) N.B.S. Rajput, district collector Balwant Singh, superintendent of police Akhilesvar Singh, divisional forest officer Santosh Joshi, were present to encourage the participants.

Local MLA Raseswari Panigrahi and Sambalpur Development Authority chairman Bijaya Mohanty flagged off the marathon.

The use of polythene bags less than 40 microns thick has been prohibited in the city from February 15. Earlier, the district administration had also launched an awareness drive on the bad affect of the non-biodegradable element.

The district administration had also engaged a voluntary organisation to collect data on the amount of polythene being used in the city and the source from where such products are procured and its method of disposal.

Following this survey, the authorities had also convened a meeting among the shop owners and asked them to refrain from using polythene bags that are less than 40 micron in thickness.

"The excitement of the crowd was amazing. People of all age took part in the run of 4.8km," said Akshay, a participant.

"I am really happy that I am a part of this campaign against the use of polythene. Polythene poses a major threat to the environment," said another participant.

"Our aim was to create awareness among people about the harms of polythene use," said Mohit Nayak, coordinator of the Clean Sambalpur Youth Forum.