In a bid to combat plastic pollution at Besant Nagar beach, a popular hangout in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu government has introduced the 'Manjappai Kiosk.' This initiative aims to monitor public use of plastics and promote awareness about the issue.
The inauguration of this facility took place on Monday, with Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Siva V Meyyanathan, and Health Minister, Ma Subramanian, leading the launch event. They also flagged off the 'Meendum Manjappai' brigade, whose mission is to drive across the city and raise awareness about this campaign.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests The Indian Express, “The brigade of two electric cars and six electric bikes will be driven by young eco-warrior/green warriors, would zoom past Chennai spreading awareness about plastic pollution and monitor ban on single-use plastic (SUP) to make it more effective.”
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In a video shared on her social media channel, Sahu mentioned that the kiosk in Besant Nagar beach, touted as a first-of-its-kind facility, operates using green energy provided by a solar panel on its roof. She stated that its primary function is to monitor plastic littering on the beach and raise awareness among the public.
Reportedly, she went on to explain that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, in collaboration with volunteers, will be managing the kiosk center at Besant Nagar. Inside the kiosk, there is a cloth vending machine, allowing the public to deposit coins or Rs 20 in exchange for an eco-friendly Manjapai (cloth bag). Additionally, the machine features a plastic bottle crusher.
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Supriya also mentioned that the center provides information about the Manjaipai journey and the efforts made by the state government to reduce the usage of single-use plastics.
Sahu has further mentioned, “The centre also gives information as to why it is important for us to stop littering on the beaches because as we know, as per reports by 2050, there will be more plastics in our ocean than fish if it is business as usual."
The beachside facility serves as an educational platform, with a specific focus on enlightening the younger generation, including young adults and children, about the detrimental consequences of plastic usage and the potential harm caused to marine life when items are discarded into the ocean.
Additionally, citizens now have the option to access the 'Manjapai App' by scanning the QR code provided on the machine. This application was initially launched on World Environment Day in June and offers valuable information to the public.
It outlines the banned single-use plastic items as decreed by both state and central governments and provides insights into region-specific government measures to combat these issues. Users can also access information about manufacturers of eco-friendly products and utilize a mechanism for lodging complaints related to the usage of prohibited single-use plastic items within the state.
