KATHMANDU: Changu Narayan Development Committee in association with The GenNep — Nation First, a youth leadership development programme under the Himalayan Climate Initiative, is set to declare Changu Narayan Temple premises a plastic-free zone from tomorrow, coinciding with Naag Panchami. Pradip Khatiwada, Program Leader of The GenNep — Nation First, said it was part of ‘No Thanks! I Carry My Own Bag’ campaign which aims to reduce and eventually stop the use of plastic bags in the country for environmental protection. Chakradharanand Rajopadhyay, priest of the temple, said use and haphazard disposal of plastic bags had spoilt the beauty of the historical site. So, they had urged everyone to help improve the environment of one of the seven world heritage sites by making the temple premises plastic-free zone. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable in nature and remain in the environment for years or even decades. If they are burnt, they release fumes containing toxic chemicals which again get exposed to the environment.