19-07-2025
Mass clean-up drive organised in Courtallam and adjoining forest areas
The Department of Forest organised a mass cleaning programme in Courtallam on Saturday ahead of the 'Saaral Thirvizhaa' to commence on Sunday (July 20).
In a recent communique, Secretary, Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Supriya Sahu had instructed the District Forest Officers to organise massive clean-up programmes to remove plastics strewn around in the forest areas as the discarded plastic products have profound destructive impact on the pristine ecosystems.
Besides educating the public on the impact of plastic products on environment, they should be encouraged to avoid single-use plastics and promote the use of sustainable alternatives, she had said.
'Hence, the Department of Forest, with community participation, should organise massive clean-up programmes every month to remove the plastics from forest areas,' the letter said.
Subsequently, the mass cleaning programme for removing plastics from the forest and the adjoining areas was organised of Courtallam on Saturday in which NGOs, volunteers, students and local body workers participated.
District Collector A.K. Kamal Kishore, District Forest Officer Akhil Thampi, Assistant Conservator of Forest Nellai Nayagam, Forest Range Officer Chelladurai, students of Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Courtallam and the volunteers participated in the drive.
'We appeal to the tourists visiting Courtallam to avoid use-and-throw plastics here to conserve nature,' Mr. Kamal Kishore said.
