The Hindu 12.04.2010
Drive begins against use of disposable plastics
Special Correspondent
| Collector asks shopkeepers to refrain from using plastic bags |
Photo: P. Goutham 
Eco-friendly measure: Collector J. Chandrakumar asking a pavement vendor not to use plastic while selling the products in Yercaud on Sunday.
YERCAUD: To preserve the fragile ecology, Salem district administration in association with Department of Forests and a few eco-conscious groups has launched an intense drive against the use of plastic carry bags, tea cups, spoons etc. and other non bio-degradable waste at this hill station on Sunday.
Ecology
Distributing degradable bags to signal the launch, Collector J. Chandrakumar went from shop to shop in the tiny hill town and asked the shop keepers to refrain from using the plastic bags, which had started degrading the sensitive ecology of the Shevaroyan Hills atop which Yercaud is perched.
He told the tourists and locals not to use the plastic bags and non recyclable materials.
Hoteliers should not distribute eatables in plastics.
“We must save the environment based on which alone tourism survives. Many in Yercaud mainly thrive on tourism for their livelihood and hence it should be a sustained development,” he said.
He further pointed out that irresponsible use of such non recyclable material would do enormous harm to flora and fauna on the hills.
To counter the global warming, one should grow trees. He asked the people and tourists to maintain the ecology of Yercaud.
“Our objective is to make Yercaud plastic-free,” he said.
The Collector and his eco team had found a brand ambassador for the sensitization programme in film artiste cum Mylapore MLA S. Ve. Sekar.
Those who participated included Thangapandian (Divisional Engineer) and Palanisamy and Pandian (Assistant Engineers, Tamil Nadu Pollution Board) Dr Kumaran (Appusamy Hospitals), Dr Chandramohan, Bro. Augustin (Vice Principal, Montfort AIMHSS, Yercaud).
Members from ‘Tharunam,’ non governmental organisation also took part in the campaign.
Prizes
Prizes were also given to those shop keepers who participated in the campaign against plastics.
