India is set to launch the landmark ‘Plastic-Free Cities’ campaign in Pune on February 13. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar announced the same in Pune on Monday. The campaign is a part of the ‘Clean India Mission’.
'Plastic-free cities' will be a massive public campaign aimed at spreading awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste. The idea is to limit and discourage the use of plastic waste and go for completely plastic-free cities in future.
60 cities in India generate 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day. Out of this, only 9,000 tonnes gets collected. As a result, close to 20 lakh tonnes of plastic waste is accumulated across the country every year.
Plastic waste pollution was termed as a ticking ‘time bomb’ by the Supreme Court after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed it that the country produces 56 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. Delhi alone generates a whopping 689.5 tonnes of plastic a day.
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In addition to all this, the act of pushing plastic waste into ocean waters is causing serious marine pollution. India is one of the top nations that sends plastic waster into the sea. Mismanagement of plastic waste has an adverse impact on oceans, wildlife, and human beings. If India fails to manage its plastic waster, it will end up among the top five contributors to marine pollution.
The idea of running a countrywide campaign to put an end to uncontrolled plastic waste accumulation is inspiring. But the onus for making this campaign a success is obviously on the people. The central government and state authorities must work together to eliminate a threat deemed bigger than nuclear weapons.
(Featured Image Credit: thehindu.com)
