Need to create awareness on plastics ban is need of the hour, says D Jayakumar

Chennai: Claiming that the Tamil Nadu government's decision to ban the use of plastics in the State has evoked good response from various sections, State Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar has emphasised the need to create awareness among the people to ensure a plastic-free State.

“Though there are laws to deal with pollution norms violations, the government's policy decision to ban the use of plastics in Tamil Nadu will yield complete result if the people are made aware of the hazards of environmental pollution,” Mr. Jayakumar said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters after participating in an awareness programme held under the aegis of fishermen associations of Chennai and Tiruvallur, the Minister said “it is not just the land where we live, but the sea too is getting polluted due to the dumping of bio-non-degradable waste.”

Pollution in sea affects marine life and this in turn affects humans. “If we want to do good for posterity, then we should all join hands and prevent environment pollution and mindless use of plastics,” he said. Asked to explain about how the government would enforce total ban from January 1, 2019, he replied, “modalities are being worked out. The government would soon come out the list of biodegradable items that could be used.”