Ban on Plastics in The 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.

Say No to Plastic