More than 12.4 kg of plastics have been seized from tourists during checks conducted on vehicles entering the Nilgiris.
Officials said that two teams were formed in Udhagamandalam, three in Coonoor, one in Gudalur and two in Nelliyalam to conduct checks at entry points into the district and prevent tourists and local residents from bringing plastic products into the district.
During the checks, more than 12.4 kg of plastics were seized and ₹ 16,050 were collected as fine.
Officials gave them cloth bags and urged them to use the environmental-friendly alternatives when inside the Nilgiris.
A mass campaign was conducted on July 15 by the municipalities of Gudalur, Coonoor, Nelliyalam, and Udhagamandalam, to brief tourists and local residents about the negative effects of plastics on the environment.
The district administration has put up sign boards in Tamil, English, Kannada, and Malayalam at all check posts stating clearly that plastic was banned in the Nilgiris.