# Bengaluru eco-activists urge balloon-free Independence Day celebrations 2026-08-15T02:52:25+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Bengaluru eco-activists have revived their “No balloons please” campaign ahead of the 80th Independence Day, urging apartments, schools and families to avoid balloon decorations. Led by sustainability changemaker and writer Odette Katrak, the campaign points to balloon remnants contaminating soil and strings endangering animals. It recommends cloth, paper, flowers and crochet decorations instead. Residents and community groups are already adopting alternatives. Caring Squares, a senior citizens’ group in Malleswaram, makes reusable tricolour crochet buntings. Organisers are also encouraging flower vendors to prepare tricolour garlands, creating an additional income source. Flowers can be composted, while cloth buntings can be stitched from waste fabric and paper decorations made from old newspapers and magazines. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Bengaluru, Caring Squares, Independence Day, Odette Katrak Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-eco-activists-urge-balloon-free-independence-day-celebrations/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/bengaluru-eco-activists-urge-balloon-free-independence-day-celebrations/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.