Media Release
Udupi, Jun 11: Udupi Municipality had banned use of plastics in 2012, but officers are least bothered to implement it strictly and hence random use of sale and use of plastics going on in the district. Because of excess usage, plastics are found all over the roads and surroundings of Udupi. If in a Metro city like Mumbai can ban plastics completely and strictly then why not in Udupi,” questioned young environmentalist Rayan Fernandes while delivering lecture on 'Plastic and Environment' organised by ‘Janapara Chinthana Vedike’ on June 9 at Sri Mukhyaprana Beedinagudde.
Addressing the gathering, Rayan Fernandes explained plastics are produced by poisonous chemicals. It pollutes the air, water and earth faster than any other polluting element. Even burned or buried under the earth, plastics will not decompose easily and moreover it causes disease like cancer, he said.
It is estimated that by 2050, number of plastics accumulated in the sea, will be more than the sea creatures and mammals in the sea. Millions of animals, birds are dying because of plastics consumption. Rayan Fernandes said that the government and people should know the dangers.
A brief discussion was held after the lecture on how to minimize the usage of plastics. It was noted during the discussion that there are lack of scrap shops and scrap dealers due to non-existence of recycling factory in Karnataka. Moreover, the municipality compels people to collect waste in plastic bags only. Therefore it is very difficult to eradicate usage of plastics. To solve this problem, representatives should take action for the ban of plastics in government level by first of all proper collection of waste, licensing sufficient recycling shops and agents and setting up of recycling plants.
Bharathi S was the president of the function, Prakash Poojary welcomed the gathering, Vishwanath Poojary handed over mementoes to the guests, and Suma G rendered the vote of thanks. Ganesh Poojary Kadabettu, Jyoti Ambalpady, Akshata Vishwanath Chitpadi and others were present. Shreeram Diwan compered the programme.