Ramnad collector declares Dhanushkodi plastic-free zone

After the newly laid road to Dhanushkodi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there was a surge in tourists which resulted in accumulation of plastic waste in the island.

As the plastic waste have the potential to destroy the serene nature of Dhanushkodi, the district administration has decided to ban the usage of plastic there.

School and college students actively participated in the drive against plastic waste on the beach. Speaking to media persons, Natarajan said that the littering is high in Dhanushkodi and so the cleanliness drive would be launched every month. He also said that the shops which have mushroomed after the inauguration of the new road are also responsible for plastic waste and they would be removed.

“Considering the safety aspects of tourists, we have decided to stop all tourist and private vans at Mukundarayar Chathiram itself.

Tourists will have to take government buses from there to reach Arichalmunai.

The number of buses to Arichalmunai will be increased to cater to the tourists’ demand,” the Collector said. He also warned of strict action against those who consumed alcohol on the beaches. “They would be strictly monitored and any such nuisance would be prevented,” assured the Collector.

Natarajan also appealed to the public not to bath in Dhanushkodi sea as it is rough there.

When asked about tourism expansion in the island, he replied that the government has detailed plans to develop tourism and in a first step, the buildings ravaged by the 1964 cyclone would be refurbished.