Plastics Creating a Menace in Turtle Life-Leatherback Turtles THREATENED!!

PLASTIC CHOKED TURTLE TO DEATH-WHO IS RESPONSIBLE??

Every once in a while the government here passes out an order banning shop keepers from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases, with little lasting effect.Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap,strong,lightweight and functional means of carrying food as well as other goods.Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth.

The number of plastic bags used in our country is staggering.The problem is further exacerbated by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India.Plastic bags are now amongst the top 12 items of debris most often found along coastline.It is effecting large number of marine life.among them is the leatherback turtle.

One of the delicacies of turtles is the jellyfish which resembles plastic bags and so they often by mistake consume the poisonous material.Once consumed it clogs the digestive system of the turtles.Minute particles of plastic are consumed by the filter feeder organisms that form the base of the marine food web.This presents two problems in that plastic materials themselves are known to be toxic and they also appear to act as a sponge for other pollutants which are taken up by the filter feeders.

There are few actions that man can check and put a stop to the mishap.God has gifted us with a beautiful mind.We have a conscience that helps take the right decision and chose right over the wrong.

We are being continuously told about the consequences of excess use of plastics.we still continue to be ignorant about it and here it is effecting the silent species.known to be the most widely distributed reptile on earth has got threatened with extinction.

The culprit obviously being human beings or should i say human minds.
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Before its too late and damage is done beyond repair there is a need to take action.say 'NO' to plastic bags.

Various alternatives to Plastic bags:

1. Use biodegradable bags made from fabrics.
2. Ladies can fold a cotton bag or two in to their purses which can be used to quench their sudden urge for shopping.
3. Nylon bags can be used and reused several times.
4. Donate old news papers and magazines to small scale institutes that cut these old papers in to paper bags and packets.
5. Use a wicker basket. (They can make a fashion statement today.)
6. Educate the local retailers on the ill effects of use of plastics.
7. Insist your local retailers to use plastic bags of thicker variety if at all he has to use.
8. Offices can distribute canvas bags as New Year gifts instead of diaries and other sweet nothings.