Wildlife sanctuaries, eco-tourism spots to be plastic-free zones

The wildlife sanctuaries and eco-tourism spots in Andhra Pradesh are declared to plastic-free zones from today onwards.  The Forest Department has decided to take up different activities in response to the theme — Beat Plastic Pollution — given by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

“We have decided to declare all wildlife sanctuaries and eco-tourism spots in the State as plastic-free zones. We are going to take up special campaign from Tuesday, including organising workshops, elocution contests for students and awareness programmes through films to trainee forest beat officers and other staff. The Forest Department has decided to distribute cloth bags in place of plastic bags in West Godavari district,” said J S N Murthy, Chief Conservator of Forests.

The eco-tourism spots, include Papikondalu (both in East and West Godavari districts), Coringa (Kakinada), Krishna wildlife sanctuary (in Krishna district), Kolleru wildlife sanctuary in West Godavari, have been identified as plastic-free zones along with all Nagara Vanams in Vijayawada and Rajamahendravaram.