Anti-plastic campaign in Digha

The administration of East Midnapore has decided to launch an anti-plastic campaign. In order to prevent tourists from carrying plastic packets or thermocol at Digha sea beach, the administration has decided to impose a spot fine of Rs 500 on tourists. The Digha-Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) has launched another campaign under which the tourists will be made aware of the plastic ban using the public address system and also by distributing leaflets to warn the tourists regarding carrying plastic packets or thermocol. DSDA member Debabrata Das said, “During picnics at the designated places near the casuarina forests in New Digha, people often litter the area with thermocol plates and plastic packets. In Digha, tourists often eat cooked food from thermocol plates and plastic packets and scatter them on the beach, causing pollution. We have conducted several awareness campaigns but few tourists have responded”. The ban on plastic packets and thermocol were put into place back in 2015 but it was never followed properly. This ignorant attitude of the tourists has prompted the local administration to introduce the spot fine of Rs 500. Partha Ghosh, the East Midnapore District Magistrate said, “We have been pushing for a cleaner and greener Digha for many years. The decision to impose spot fines on tourists was taken to prevent pollution”.