Forest department tightens plastic checks at Zero Point and Keeriparai check posts

In a major step, the Kanniyakumari forest department has strengthened inspections at Zero Point and Keeriparai check posts to prevent the entry of plastics into the district’s forest areas.

With an increasing number of visitors travelling to Kodhayar, Irattai Aruvi, and Kalikesam regions for weekend getaways and leisure activities, environmentalists had raised concerns over the likelihood of tourists polluting these ecologically sensitive locations.

Although checkposts existed earlier at Zero Point, the entry to Kodhayar and Irattai Aruvi and Keeriparai, the entry to Kalikesam, residents felt there was a lack of awareness among tourists and that inspections must be strengthened..

Accordingly, the forest department intensified the vehicle checks at entry points and partnered with a NGO, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Trust (WECT), to remove plastic waste from forest areas.

As part of “Meendum Manjappai” initiative the department has also installed a cloth bag vending machine at Zero Point check post for the use of residents of tribal hamlets and tourists.

G. Murugadhas, founder of WECT, said that the organisation, in coordination with the forest department had collected around two tonnes of liquor bottles and 1,800 kilograms of plastics last year, including water bottles, pan masala packets, discarded slippers and food packaging.

He added that the process usually begins with inspection at forest areas after obtaining permission from the forest department, following which clearance drives were carried out under the guidance of forest officials.

Kanniyakumari District Forest Officer A. Anbu said that the department is continuously working towards a complete ban on tourists carrying plastic materials into forests. He noted that awareness campaigns were conducted at tribal settlements, encouraging residents to shift to reusable cloth bags and eco-friendly alternatives, as part of conservation efforts.

‘Cages have been placed at check posts to discard the plastic wastes and forest officials conduct thorough inspections of vehicles before allowing entry,” he said.

He added that periodic monitoring are being carried out to ensure compliance with plastic restrictions, emphasizing that Eco Development Committees have been set up at every tribal hamlet. The committee is based on conservation measures by involving tribal residents and local youth in waste monitoring.