Five tonnes of plastic waste removed from waterbodies in Dindigul

More than five tonnes of plastic waste were removed from waterbodies during a cleanliness drive held in Dindigul on Saturday. Over 500 people participated in the cleanliness drive.

The cleanliness drive was held with the main objective of cleaning the waterbodies coming under Dindigul Corporation limits. A plastic waste collection drive was carried out in YMR Patti, Gopalasamudhra, Muthusamy and Lingammal tanks.

The work under the cleanliness drive included collecting plastic waste, cutting tree branches, cleaning pathways, and also planting saplings. In addition to this, awareness campaigns, distribution of manjapai and brochures to create awareness, and mural painting competitions to create environmental awareness were held.

Collector Saravanan said the district administration had started involving volunteers and students to create awareness. So far 10 waterbodies had been identified in the Corporation limits to carry out the cleanliness drive.

Out of the 10 waterbodies, four will be cleaned in the first phase. NSS and NCC volunteers, especially school and college students, are being involved in the cleaning drive to create awareness among people on the need to protect the environment. The students also participated in mural painting to create awareness among the public, he said.

The main aim of the cleanliness drive is to create awareness on the need to protect water resources, avoid plastic products, and use alternative materials instead of plastic products. Cleanliness drives will also be carried out in the government offices including those at the district and the block levels, he said. Government officials and others were present during the cleanliness drive.