Scores of employees of the Department of Posts took a pledge on Monday to convert the Anna Salai office complex into a plastic-free zone. The ban will come into force from Tuesday.
As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, the Department of Post is conducting a two-day stamp exhibition, followed by screening of short film on the environment theme. The exhibition, being held at Philately Exhibition hall, is showcasing Indian and international bio-diversity, flora and fauna, endangered species and ecological subjects.
“This complex houses nearly 600 employees. Taking a pledge to convert the Anna Salai office complex into a plastic-free zone is easy. But, we are asking the employees to avoid plastics bags and save environment. Today, they have taken a pledge to carry cloth or jute bags while shopping. This is the first step and we will slowly extent it to other offices too,” Shanthi Nair, Chief Postmaster General, Tamil Nadu Circle told The Hindu.
M.S. Ramanujan, Chief Postmaster General, Chennai City Region said: “The Anna Salai complex was declared tobacco-free zone almost a year ago. By and large we have succeeded in our maiden attempt. Posters banning plastics will be put up on Tuesday. Now, we want to get rid of polythene bags by sensitising people. This can be achieved only through individual self regulation.”
Environment and Forest Department Secretary Debendranath Sarangi inaugurated the Stamp Exhibition. Ms. Nair presented a stamp album and blow-ups to P.L. Gautam, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority of India and A.S. Balanathan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.
Delivering the chief guest address, Mr. Sarangi said: “Natural resources belong to the community and it is our duty to preserve it. Communities have come to understand the causes for recent natural disasters and are taking steps to avoid its recurrence. Maintaining environment and preserving natural resources is the duty of all of us so that we can make our planet a safer place to live in for future generations.”
Mr. Gautam said that avoiding use of plastic bag was a difficult task, but it was possible. He urged people to spread the message by purchasing commemorative stamps on International year on biodiversity.
