The Hindu : Front Page : Anti-plastics drive not a total success

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Anti-plastics drive not a total success

D. Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: The anti-plastic campaign in the Nilgiris has been effective in many ways but a lot more still needs to be done to combat the menace. This is what many persons interviewed by The Hindu felt.

When the campaign was launched about eight years ago, the district administration had said use of plastics over the years had caused extensive damage to the unique environment of the Nilgiris. With grasslands and forests being littered with disposable plastic cups, plates and bags, both domestic and wild animals, including elephants, had been affected.

Awareness

With the administration wanting the campaign to continue till the menace was completely eradicated, the government had agreed to the imposition of a blanket ban on plastics in the district. Though the drive has paid rich dividends, the menace is still to be controlled totally.

According to green activists, among the places where the menace was most pronounced were tourist spots like the Dodabetta peak and the film shooting hill.

Though the sustained campaign has helped create an awareness among the tourists, it is yet to have an impact on certain sections of the trading community here. Public Awareness Association, Udhagamandalam, secretary G. Janardhanan regretted that the menace which had been under control for a few years has once again become source of concern. Stringent action should be taken against erring traders. Concerned tourists said warning signs should be prominently displayed.

The problem of littering can be tackled to a significant extent if dustbins are kept at convenient places, especially near tourist spots. Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH) convenor Geetha Srinivasan suggested that efforts to enhance awareness about the impact of plastic items on the environment among tourists and local people be stepped up.

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