Minister Anitha Leads Anti-Plastic Campaign In Vizianagaram
"Plastics have seeped into everyone’s everyday lives despite the health risk they pose. We need to reduce plastic usage": Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha
VISAKHAPATNAM: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha led an awareness programme in Vizianagaram on Saturday on pollution caused due to plastics as part of the Swarnandhra-Swachh Andhra initiative. She emphasised on the urgent necessity to reduce plastic consumption for environmental protection and well-being of public health.
On the occasion, Anitha participated in a procession that began at Gantasthambam and ended at Balaji Koudali. She warned about serious health risks linked to widespread use of plastic. "Plastics have seeped into everyone’s everyday lives despite the health risk they pose. We need to reduce plastic usage," she underlined.
The minister said the state government will continue to organise similar events across Andhra Pradesh every third Saturday of a month, focusing on the theme of addressing plastic pollution.
Acknowledging the difficulties in rooting out plastic altogether, she said, "We need to discover alternatives to plastic, including paper, jute and cotton bags. Establishing small-scale facilities in the district for this purpose would also generate job opportunities for women.
Participating in the event, MLA Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju sought total prohibition on single-use plastics. Highlighting their danger to health, she pointed out that plastic causes cancer. She asked tea shop owners to eliminate use of plastic cups.
During the programme, organisers honoured 12 sanitation workers for their efforts in keeping the Vizianagaram district clean.