Forest department staff conducted a clean-up of invasive plants from outside reserve forests in Gudalur.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As part of World Environment Day celebrations, the Gudalur forest division conducted a clean-up of invasive plants from outside reserve forests on Thursday.

In a press release, the Gudalur forest division said the theme for World Environment Day this year was “Putting an end to plastic pollution” and “No invasive Nilgiris.”

The Forest Department said the initiative will be the first of many undertaken this year to eradicate plastic waste from forests and adjoining areas and to also minimise the spread of invasive species such as Lantana camara.

In Masinagudi forest division in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, World Environment Day was celebrated by distributing tree saplings and seedlings, planting of trees and creating awareness among the public about the need to keep the tiger reserve free of plastic and waste.

Passing tourists were stopped at the reserve by forest staff and were involved in the initiative to improve awareness among the public.