Towards Plastic-free Munnar

 Munnar, the land of Neelakurinji and the Nilgiri tahr, is under a grave threat .The accumulation of plastic waste is becoming a visible threat throughout the region, choking the plains,  valuable grazing land and recreation zones.Now a group of students from the High Range School, Munnar, is all set to tackle the plastic menace before it swallows up the flora and fauna. These 85-odd schoolchildren plan to collect the waste and distribute leaflets to the public. They are also planning an awareness campaign against the social menace.“The first round of waste collection by the schoolchildren would be held on Thursday at the scenic Echo point, 15 km from Munnar. A total of 85 students and six teachers would take part in the drive”, said  Vice Principal K. Sreenivasan.The go-green campaign as part of the school’s Scouts & Guides movement, was initiated after the media reported that empty plastic bottles mixed with other waste were being dumped in mountain brooks or along the hill roads, he said.After collection, the plastic is pressed into small bundles ready for transportation. These would be dumped in a big pit dug up with help from the local panchayat. “This is a temporary measure as we could find no other way to dispose of plastic waste without harming the environment”, said K.G.   Vilson, a teacher, associated with the initiative.During the two-day drive, the students would also personally meet tourists and other visitors to brief them about the hazards of plastic. Besides, all this waste would have an adverse impact on the ecological balance of this beautiful tourist spot.The students are all geared up to do their bit for Mother Nature. “Students of class eight and nine have all voluntarily become part of the initiative. It’s purely optional and we’re not forcing anyone, but the response has been heartening”, said the vice principal.Source:  http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130228/news-current-affairs/article/towards-plastic-free-munnar