ANTI PLASTIC
BAN ON PLASTICS IN NILGIRIS DISTRICT:
Nilgiris District forms an integral part of the Western Ghat
forming a distinct ecological realm. The typical forests of the Nilgiris are
called “Sholas”. The District has a unique flora and fauna, which has not
been found anywhere else in the Country. 56.6% of the District is covered
by Forests. It is in this context that the District Administration has an
onerous responsibility of protecting the flora and fauna of the Nilgiris District.
In the past years in the Nilgiris the use of plastic has been causing extensive
damage to the environment in and around the Nilgiris. Since the Nilgiris district
is visited by a number of tourists they also bring along with them disposable
polythene bags, plastic cups and disposable plastic plates etc. One could
see the beautiful grasslands and forests littered with disposal plastic items
everywhere. There were also instances where animals like horses, cows die
due to suffocation after eating plastics. In one or two instances some wild
elephants have also found to be affected due to eating of plastics. In addition
to the damages caused to the flora and fauna plastic have been a real menace
and responsible for blocking the drainages, water supply channels in the Nilgiris
District. Plastic have also been entering through the channels into the Ooty
lake causing pollution to the Ooty lake. This has been going on in the Nilgiris
without any check.
However a programme against disposable plastics has now
been launched in the Nilgiris and is under operation. The programme has been
named as “Anti-plastic Campaign”. Several steps are being taken with the co
- operation of the local residents, NGOs and business community to protect
the Nilgiris from the plastic menace. In the past few months from its inception
“Anti-plastic campaign” has been responsible for effectively checking the
use of disposable plastic and its littering in and around the whole of the
Nilgiris.