ICAR-IISWC, Research Centre, Udhagamandalam has organized a series of events to celebrate the World Environment Day on 05.06.2023 with the theme #Beat Plastic Pollution. The program was organized to raise awareness about the plastic-free world among a diverse group of participants. Shri. K J Raju, President, Tamil Nadu Science Forum, The Nilgiris was the Chief Guest of the event. About 60 participants including farmers from the SCSP adopted village Takkarbavanagar, The Nilgiris and students from various college has participated in the programme along with the Research Centre’s Staff.

Dr P Sundaramabal, Head of the Centre has motivated the students and farmers to make changes in their daily life style to achieve the vision of Honourable Prime Minister on the Mission LiFE. The chief guest during his address stressed on the need for a citizen centric mass movement to beat the plastic pollution. During this event, an extempore competition was also organized in which the students have actively participated and expressed their views on the ways to fight against the climate change. In house meeting was followed by a tree plantation drive in the research farm to mark the event of World Environment Day-2023. About 30 native shola tree species have been planted in the research farm by the farmers and the students. The programme ended with a slogan “Keeping plastic free Nilgiris is the responsibility of each person”. The program was coordinated by Dr Sudheer Kumar Annepu, Scientist and Mrs. Blessy V.A., Scientist.