‘Fine’ decision, say activists, Chennaiites

Arun Krishnamurthy, founder of Environment Foundation of India, said it was a valid move to penalise offenders for littering. “I think we should support the corporation in this step without any negation. The thing is they should stipulate and collect fines properly. It can bring a lot of discipline among event organisers,” he said.

Krishnamurthy believes that such a step would even detract agencies conducting promotional events just for the sake of publicity and without any social cause. “There are events which put the individual ahead of the cause. They print T shirts, hats and other memorabilia but really, the cause is nowhere to be found. These events are branding exercise more than they are social events,” he added.

Sarah Ramya, policy researcher with the Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities, welcomed the initiative. “It is in our culture to do exactly the opposite of what we are asked to do. But then again, we have never been taught even in our childhood to use bins to throw wastes and not to urinate in public. The idea has always been that we can ‘afford’ to do such things because there will be someone to clean up after us,” said Ramya, who also trekked along the Cooum river recently.

Recounting the strict implementation of ban on plastic in The Nilgiris district, Ramya said even the people’s attitude towards plastic has changed there. “People in Ooty do not mind to pay to get a cloth bag. But the question is, why cannot we replicate such a system across the state?” she asked. Ramya said the corporation should educate vendors in the beach to not use plastic. Fines should be imposed on offenders. Ambattur resident and a regular beach goer, Pavithra Sridhar, said it was welcome the corporation was finally taking notice of the garbage issue.