Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120153740300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Campaign on plastic ban in Kolli Hills

Staff Reporter

Say no: Namakkal Collector U. Sagayam distributing paper bags to passengers in a bus at the foothills of Kolli Hills on Sunday to create awareness on the ban on the use of plastic/polythene bags in the hills.

NAMAKKAL: An awareness campaign was launched in Namakkal district to make people and tourists aware of the ban imposed on the use of plastic/polythene bags in Kolli Hills. The ban comes into effect from December 1.

Inaugurating the campaign at the foothills of Kolli Hills on Sunday, Collector U. Sagayam along with senior officials distributed paper bags to the vehicle users and passengers in the buses after collecting polythene bags from them.

The Collector and officials stopped all the vehicles proceeding to Kolli Hills and explained the ban on the use of plastic/polythene bags. The continuous use of plastic/polythene bags would spoil the environment, they told the travelling public.

Mr. Sagayam said the ban would enable the district administration to improve the ecological health of Kolli Hills, which is home to a large variety of medicinal plants.

The initiative would also make people realise the need for protecting the environment and develop a better understanding with the nature.

The administration would continue to distribute paper bags free of cost to all the people who travelled to Kolli Hills till December 5.

If people were found carrying plastic/polythene bags to Kolli Hills after December 5, a fine of Rs. 100 to Rs. 1,000 would be imposed.

The ban would be strictly implemented to protect the environment, Mr. Sagayam said.