Removing Plastic Bags From Our Social Ecosystem is the Way to Protect our Future: Dr. Harsh Vardhan

On June 5, 2018, When the entire world have come to New Delhi to observe the 2018's World Environment Day, State Government agencies, top government officials, Non-government organizations, including schools, colleges and universities and individuals up to college and school going students have come forward to discuss clean environment and there will be talks, discussions, slogans and sermons on environmentalism.

The pledges would be made by the students, radio and TV talks would be held and experts will hold panel discussions on the managing the waste and keeping the environment clean and green. This happens almost every year and after all the jamborees and stuff on the day each one of us forget environment and everything else matters but environment.

This year June 5, 2018 has a special theme and it is about the use of plastic. India is the host of 2018 World Environment Day and Dr Harsh Vardhan, who heads the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reiterated well in advance along with Erik Solheim, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Head of UN Environment that the country is committed to exploring sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.

The commitment of the central ministry towards protecting the environment is beyond seriousness, it looks to be result oriented. Dr. Harsh Vardhan commented and rather he indicated, "We have a clear and very objective plan ahead. Use of Plastic bags if causing trouble in the environmental sustainability, then the only solution is to stop using them. How a plastic bag free society can be achieved is a question and requires common dialogue but the goal is clear. So, we have to work as a team towards ensuring this."

With “Beat the Plastic Pollution” as theme and various State governments are already having high pollution load especially of the solid waste, we in Jammu and Kashmir have to develop a comprehensive strategy for the same.