Union Ministry of Environment declares all protected areas in India as 'plastic free zone'
New Delhi, Apr 28 (IBNS): The Union Environment ministry has banned plastics in all protected areas around the country and declared them as plastic free zones, according to media reports on Saturday.
The announcement was made ahead of the World Environment Day, which will be observed on June 5.
Dr Harsh Vardhan said he has asked the states and Union Territories to hold awareness campaigns on the subject.
He also said that protected areas in Bengal and Odisha are already plastic-free zones.
Tweeted Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, ".@moefcc bans plastic in any form in all protected areas and declare them “Plastic Free Zones” ahead of #WorldEnvironmentDay2018. Directs states & UTs to organise awareness campaigns to sensitise people. Protected areas in Bengal and Odisha are already plastic free zones."
The Minister also said that the RPF personnel who were being sensitized about Prevention of Wildlife Crime were also made aware of plastic pollution.
He tweeteed, "In another tweet he said "Wildlife Crime Control Bureau conducts sensitization program on “Prevention of #WildlifeCrime; Trafficking/ Smuggling of Wildlife Products,” for RPF personnel in Mumbai. They were also sensitised on plastic pollution, the theme of this year’s #WorldEnvironmentDay."
The media quoted Union Environment Secretary C K Mishra as saying, “Non-recyclable plastics have been banned. Various steps will be taken so that plastic is not allowed inside the protected areas."
The theme for UN World Environment Day this year is 'Beat Plastic Pollution'.
India is the host country for World Environment this year.
Image: Dr Harsh Vardhan/Twitter
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