KODAIKANAL: The district administration and an organisation, People Commission on Environment and Development, plan to restore the beauty of Kodaikanal with financial support from Ford Foundation. The special initiatives include conservation of the lake, make the hill station plastic-free and decrease air pollution level to protect the flora and fauna of the hills. To begin with, the municipality plans to implement solid waste management to protect the lake and its surroundings, within a month. Efforts would be taken to vacate a stay against construction activities near the lake.

Sewage would be collected at a separate place, a few km away from the lake for treatment and recycling. Safe disposal of waste and recycling of sewage alone would solve most of the environmental problems, the authorities feel.

The municipality plans to collect plastic materials such as carry bags and bottles from tourists at the check-post near Silver Cascade.

A sub-committee comprising traffic and Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials will check emission levels of vehicles coming to the hill station. A district-level committee for lake conservation and environment protection would be formed shortly to chalk out various other plans, including implementation of a total ban on plastics.

Already, a majority of shops and vendors have stopped selling plastic bags, according to Collector R. Vasuki. "All these measures will be taken before the summer season starts."

The district administration convened a special meeting here recently, in which environmentalists, conservationists and officials from the municipality, police, revenue and Pollution Control Board participated.