Water ATMs set up in 70 spots in Nilgiris to quench tourists’ thirst

Shops told to stop sale of drinking water and soft drinks

Nilgiris District Collector, J. Innocent Divya, said awareness programmes would be conducted from August 10 to sensitise tourists about how to use the water ATMs and to reinforce the message that the Nilgiris was a “plastic-free district”. Action would be taken against persons found using any of the 17 different types of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste that has been banned in the beginning of the year.

The district administration has been cracking down on use of banned plastic items. Over 12.3 kg of plastic had been seized in July and fines amounting to ? 51,200 collected, an official said.