Chennai: A district-level awareness campaign against the usage of plastic and keeping the State pollution free was flagged by Minister of Rural Industries P Benjamin at Valluvar Gurukulam school in Tambaram in the city suburb recently.
Several stalls were put up on the school premises to encourage people to use biodegradable materials. All the participants took a pledge to protect the environment.
More than 500 school students took part in the rally that was conducted to create awareness among the public. Kancheepuram district Collector P Ponniah flagged off the rally.
Similarly, a plastic awareness bike rally was conducted by Federation of Rajakilpakkam Residents Welfare Associations recently.
Sembakkam Municipality Commissioner M R Vasanthy spoke about the role of public in keeping the area neat and clean.
Federation president Classic E Chandran said the rally was conducted to make people understand the adverse effects of plastic usage.
âWe want people in the locality to use eco-friendly bagsâ he noted.
Federation secretary Seetharaman pointed out that the government has already announced that Tamilnadu will be made a plastic-free State from 1 January 2019. It is however possible only with the help of residents, he said, adding, ‘We want to ensure that the government’s initiative reaches everyone and more awareness is created’.
The decision to conduct the rally was taken during the meeting of owners of various commercial outlets including supermarkets, hotels and provisional stores along with the residents welfare associations, at the Sembakkam Municipality office recently.
Health Inspector M Nagaraj also took part in the rally along with the other Municipality officials.