The Hindu            05.02.2014

50 kg plastics seized in Salem

Corporation officials with the seized plastic cups and bags, which was less than 40 microns in thickness, from a shop in Salem on Tuesday.-PHOTO:P.GOUTHAM

With usage of plastics less than 40 microns thickness on the rise creating a cascading effect on the environment, the City Municipal Corporation has intensified its drive against it.

As part of curbing the manufacturing and sale of plastics, health officials in all the four zones began inspecting the plastic production units, wholesalers, and retailers in the market areas.

Officials said that gauge meters were used to check the thickness of the plastics and shopkeepers were warned of action besides seizing the banned items.

“If they continue to sell the banned items, they would be fined according to the provisions of the law,” the officials said. Officials seized more than 750 kg plastic bags in raids carried out on Monday and Tuesday.

Of the total 300 tonnes waste the civic body collects, more than 5 per cent is plastics.

An awareness will be created among people against the use plastic bags, plastic coated plates, plastic cups, and other plastic items. These plastic items choke the flow of sewage and create sanitation problems.

Hence people should desist from using plastics with less than 40 microns thickness, the officials said.

Though the corporation enforced the ban on plastics from January 2013, lack of awareness among the producers and consumers and poor monitoring led to ineffective implementation. Officials said that manufactures would be sensitised to the health implication of using plastic bags so that the production could be curbed.

The Hindu            05.02.2014

Second phase of sterilisation of stray dogs commences

The second phase of ‘Mission Rabies’ which is aimed at sterilisation of stray dogs under Animal Birth Control Project began here on Tuesday.

Around 5,000 dogs in outer areas of the city and in municipalities and town panchayats will be sterilised in a special drive to be conducted till the end of this month.

The Madurai Corporation in collaboration with World Veterinary Service (WVS) and with the support of the district administration is implementing the ‘Mission Rabies’ programme to prevent rabies caused to humans due to dog bites.

Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa, Commissioner Kiran Gurrala and City Health Officer V. Yasodha Mani visited the well-equipped sterilisation centre at Sellur here on Tuesday where an intensive training programme is also being conducted for veterinarians and supporting staff for 10 days.

“Dog bites became a menace and this sterilisation campaign will put an end to it. It is for the safety of people,” the Mayor told a press conference after his meeting with WVS team.

Appupillai Murugan, South India Regional Manager- Mission Rabies, WVS India, said that the highlight of second phase was the arrival of all-terrain modern veterinary operation truck which would be positioned at Corporation’s Sellur centre.

“In the first phase conducted in September last, 8,533 dogs were sterilised in the city. Now, we are focusing on outer areas such as Tirumangalam, Melur and Tirupparankundram,” he said. Last month, Collector L.Subramanian convened a meeting to discuss the implementation of second phase of ‘Mission Rabies.’

Dr.Murugan said that the modern mobile unit had all facilities inside, including surgery tables, X-ray and scan machines. Through ‘Mission Rabies,’ public awareness of preventing rabies cases and training for veterinary doctors would be undertaken.

Special programmes for schoolchildren would be conducted during this month in panchayat schools by the WVS members. “All guidelines on animal safety are followed and there is no scope for cruelty at all. Birth control is the best way to contain rabies and prevent deaths caused by dog bites,” he added.