Udupi, (The Hindu): Priyanka Mary Franics, Deputy Commissioner, said on Tuesday that the administration had taken several steps to make Udupi, an environment-friendly district.

She was speaking after flagging off a tableau on creating awareness on environment created by the Department of Forests to mark the World Environment Day celebrations here.

Ms. Francis said that the administration had adopted a series of measures termed as ‘green protocols’ aimed at environmental protection, which the people should follow.

It had also taken several eco-friendly steps to reduce the use of plastic and to make the district, garbage-free. But the cooperation of people was essential for successful implementation of these measures, she said.

Ms. Francis said that the protocols were already being followed at the District Offices Complex here. She suggested that the offices of the Department of Forests should try to adopt them.

The Udupi Zilla Panchayat had recently bagged the State Environment Award for the environment friendly measures adopted by it.

Many eco-friendly measures adopted in the district could become a model for the State. Some of these measures were in different stages of implementation. Efforts were being made by the administration to pursue people to adopt garbage free measures in their houses especially in disposal of waste.

The use of plastic affected the soil, sea and aquatic life. People should individually decide to make lesser use of plastic and ensure its proper disposal, then only the Environment Day celebrations would have meaning, Ms. Francis said.