Institutions and NGOs Unite to Combat Plastic Pollution in Uttarakhand: Plans for 200 More Plastic Banks Unveiled

DEHRADUN: In a unified front against the looming threat of plastic pollution, Dehradun citizens displayed a collective action as diverse stakeholders converged to celebrate Earth Day under the resounding theme of 'Planet Versus Plastic'.

Drawing parallels to the iconic Chipko Movement, which inspired citizens for environmental conservation across India, the SDC Foundation emerges as the vanguard in the war against plastic pollution in this pristine land of DevBhoomi.

Just as the Chipko Movement exemplified the power of grassroots activism in saving green trees, the SDC Foundation's relentless crusade promises to showcase to the nation how to effectively eradicate the plastic menace.

Through a series of focused initiatives and collaborative endeavors, institutions, individuals, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Uttarakhand are spearheading innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution head-on.

As the entire Himalaya reels under the climate change crisis, Uttarakhand stands at the forefront, poised to set an  actionable example for the rest of India in the fight for a cleaner, greener future.

Spearheaded by the Social Development for Communities Foundation (SDC Foundation), over two dozen locations across the state witnessed collaborative programs aimed at raising awareness and taking concrete steps towards minimizing plastic waste.

The SDC Foundation, headquartered in Dehradun, launched  a series of initiatives in partnership with schools, universities, and other organizations, marking Earth Day with a focus on combating plastic pollution.

Tonnes of plastic were collected from the city,  with school and college students taking pledge to wide out the plastic pollution from the face of the Dev Bhoomi,  given the active support from the Government institutions and pollution regulator.  

Emphasizing the theme 'Planet Versus Plastic', the programs aimed to educate and sensitize students and communities about the detrimental effects of plastic on the environment.

Under the guidance of Anoop Nautiyal, Founder of SDC Foundation, and with the support of various stakeholders including educational institutions, government bodies, and private entities, the programs reached significant milestones.

It was a virtual war against the plastic pollution in Uttarakhand on Earth Day- something that was not seen, not only in the rest of Himalayan states,  but also in the rest of India. 

Schools played a pivotal role in engaging students through cultural programs and awareness campaigns, encouraging them to collect plastic waste and deposit it at designated collection centers within their campuses.

Participating institutions ranged from Dehradun Cantonment Board schools to prominent universities like Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and Graphic Era Hill University. The enthusiasm displayed by students and the community at large underscored the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and adopting sustainable practices.

Anoop Nautiyal expressed gratitude to all participating institutions for their commitment to the cause and highlighted the importance of collective action in combating plastic pollution.

He announced plans for the establishment of 200 more plastic banks across Uttarakhand, in collaboration with Airbus, with the aim of eradicating single-use plastics from the 'Dev Bhoomi'.

The initiatives received support from the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board, further bolstering the efforts to create a plastic-free environment in the state.

Various competitions were organized to instill a sense of responsibility among students and incentivize efforts towards plastic control.

The success of the Earth Day programs reflects a growing awareness and determination among stakeholders to address the plastic menace in Uttarakhand.

With the pledge to establish additional plastic banks and ongoing efforts to raise awareness, Dehradun, a heartthrob of Uttarakhand has launched the war against plastic. All that it needs is others should fan out it in rest of state and in entire Himalaya to make it world's greenest, cleanest and living and breathing biosphere as once ancient bard, Kalidas has once described the Loftiest Mountain in his epic, Meghdoot.