Government Intensifies Battle Against Plastic Pollution at Global Conclave..
Will it go down to the ground Zero in Himachal, Uttarakhand and other Himalayan states?
Shimla/Dehradun/New Delhi– The Indian government’s new strategies to fight plastic pollution were spotlighted today as the Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) began at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.
The conclave has brought Himalayan states into sharp focus, where NGOs like IMI, Dehradun- based SDC Foundation, Healing Himalaya are fighting battles to clean mountains from single use plastic.
Dehradun has become a first city in India, where SDC Foundation has started a first of its anti plastic campaign by collecting plastic waste for the novel Plastic banks in tieups with all stakeholders.
This initiated is on the ground zero, far far removed from the bureaucratised campaign that remained confined to the conference halls.
Giving them the necessary legal tooth is the High Court mainly in Himachal where the court is actively putting in place system for waste collection in urban local bodies pulling up pollution regulator and state government agencies for dereliction in duty.
The Government has banned single use plastics. HP High Court has removed all flexi banners in the state.
Talking about combating plastic pollution on the national level, Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, inaugurated the event, highlighting India’s push towards a greener economy.
"We need everyone on board to beat plastic pollution," said Smt. Verma. She discussed the 2016 Plastic Waste Management Rules, which include producer responsibility, bans on single-use plastics, and strict recycling rules.
Globally, only 10% of the 400 million tonnes of plastic waste generated each year is recycled.
In India, about 3.5 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced annually, with approximately 60% being recycled, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) .
"Plastic's still vital for jobs and the economy," Smt. Verma noted, urging more efforts from all sectors.
Smt. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), announced, "We're setting up a top-notch export center in Hyderabad to boost MSMEs in the plastic sector," aligning with plans to double exports.
India's plastic industry supports over 4 million jobs, showing its economic significance.
In the Himalayan states, over 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated annually, with states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh recycling about 50% of it, while others average around 30%, as reported by the state governments of the 11 Himalayan states.
The states have unique challenges," said AIPMA's Governing Council Chairman, Shri Arvind Mehta. "We need tailored solutions for them."
The GCPRS, hosted by AIPMA and CPMA, showcases cutting-edge recycling tech and eco-friendly plastics.
The government is in boosting the plastic recycling sector and tightening environmental rules all that has been said and done for combating the plastic pollution.
Much will depend how it lifts the recycling rate and tackles global and local plastic waste issues. It is one planet and one yet diverse humanity and biodiversity.
