<p>The Tamil Nadu government today announced it would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations.</p>

<p>Chief Minister K Palaniswami's announcement in the state assembly coincided with International Environment Day today.</p>

<p>The ban on manufacture, sale, storage and usage of items such as plastic paper, cups, water sachets, straws and carry bags would come into effect from&nbsp;January 1, 2019, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>The ban would cover these plastic articles irrespective of their micron size.</p>

<p>However, polythene sachets used for packing milk, curd, oil and medical equipment would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>The PMK, in a statement, said this is not the first time the state government was banning disposable plastic, recalling that late Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as chief minister then.</p>

<p>Palaniswami said former chief minister Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel to go into the issue of banning plastic products.</p>

<p>That panel had suggested banning disposable plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>The chief minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers affect the environment, impeding water flow.</p>

<p>"When such disposable plastic items remain on the soil, it impedes water flow to water bodies, resulting in stagnation. It also affects the flow of sewage.</p>

<p>"Further, it prevents percolation of rain water into the soil, thus affecting the increase in underground water," he said in a statement.</p>

<p>The chief minister said when rainwater stagnates in strewn plastic waste, it results in breeding of dengue and malaria-causing mosquitoes.</p>

<p>He said while such waste contributed towards flooding, it has also affected soil quality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Its burning also causes problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution-- air, land and water.</p>

<p>Cattle feeding on such waste face the danger of death, the chief minister said.</p>

<p>"Since plastic is non-biodegradable it is not easy to destroy... Due to pollution of air, water and land, plastic becomes harmful for human life. Therefore, completely avoiding them is the need of the hour," he said.</p>

<p>"Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said.</p>

<p>However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products,would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>The ban is brought under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and it would come into effect from&nbsp;January 1, 2019, to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said.</p>

<p>Palaniswami said people's participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources.</p>

<p>"Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state," he said.</p>

<p>PMK founder S Ramadoss, who welcomed the announcement, recalled that Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as then chief minister.</p>

<p>"This is not the first time the Tamil Nadu government is banning disposable plastic. On May 7, 2002 then chief minister Jayalalithaa had brought in a legislation in the Assembly for banning the use of plastic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, on January 1, 2003, she withdrew that legislation without any transparent reason," he said in a statement.</p>

<p>The PMK founder said the Tamil Nadu should "determinedly implement" its latest announcement on plastic ban.&nbsp;</p>


Chief Minister EK Palaniswami said his government would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to 'gift a plastic-free' state to future generations

The Tamil Nadu government today announced it would ban the use of plastic items, including non-biodegradable carry bags, from January 2019 to "gift a plastic-free" state to future generations. Chief Minister K Palaniswami's announcement in the state assembly coincided with International Environment Day today. The ban on manufacture, sale, storage and usage of items such as plastic paper, cups, water sachets, straws and carry bags would come into effect from January 1, 2019, Palaniswami said. The ban would cover these plastic articles irrespective of their micron size. However, polythene sachets used for packing milk, curd, oil and medical equipment would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said. The PMK, in a statement, said this is not the first time the state government was banning disposable plastic, recalling that late Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as chief minister then. Palaniswami said former chief minister Jayalalithaa had earlier constituted an expert panel to go into the issue of banning plastic products. That panel had suggested banning disposable plastic products, including bags, plates and cups, and recommended that traditional items such as plantain leaves and plates made of palm leaves be used, Palaniswami said. The chief minister said non-biodegradable plastic products, mainly polythene covers affect the environment, impeding water flow. "When such disposable plastic items remain on the soil, it impedes water flow to water bodies, resulting in stagnation. It also affects the flow of sewage. "Further, it prevents percolation of rain water into the soil, thus affecting the increase in underground water," he said in a statement. The chief minister said when rainwater stagnates in strewn plastic waste, it results in breeding of dengue and malaria-causing mosquitoes. He said while such waste contributed towards flooding, it has also affected soil quality. Its burning also causes problems, he said, adding that plastic products contributed to various forms of pollution-- air, land and water. Cattle feeding on such waste face the danger of death, the chief minister said. "Since plastic is non-biodegradable it is not easy to destroy... Due to pollution of air, water and land, plastic becomes harmful for human life. Therefore, completely avoiding them is the need of the hour," he said. "Considering the damage caused by plastic, and to ensure this is not left behind for future generations, the Amma government has decided to ban non-biodegradable plastic covers, plates, cups, water packets, straws and bags," he said. However, plastic sachets used to pack milk, curd and oil, besides those used to wrap medical products,would be exempted from the ban, Palaniswami said. The ban is brought under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and it would come into effect from January 1, 2019, to allow people to change over to using paper bags and other products made out of paper as substitutes to the plastic items facing ban, he said. Palaniswami said people's participation in the past for a rainwater harvesting scheme introduced by Jayalalithaa had resulted in success, as it had led to better groundwater resources. "Similarly, with the cooperation and contribution of all, let us gift a plastic-free Tamil Nadu for the future generations of the state," he said. PMK founder S Ramadoss, who welcomed the announcement, recalled that Jayalalithaa had made a similar attempt in 2002 as then chief minister. "This is not the first time the Tamil Nadu government is banning disposable plastic. On May 7, 2002 then chief minister Jayalalithaa had brought in a legislation in the Assembly for banning the use of plastic. "However, on January 1, 2003, she withdrew that legislation without any transparent reason," he said in a statement. The PMK founder said the Tamil Nadu should "determinedly implement" its latest announcement on plastic ban.

World Environment Day: Tamil Nadu to ban use of plastic from January 2019

<p>The world is choking because of plastics and celebrities like Dia Mirza, Juhi Chawla, Alia Bhatt and others have been urging people to say no plastic products. On World Environment Day, scores of Bollywood celebrities took to social media to spread awareness around the harmful effects of the environment.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Dia Mirza, who is been fighting for the cause for many years, has time and again urged people to stop using plastic.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
A few weeks back, the actress had shared a horrific image on a drain in Mumbai choked with plastic and wrote, "All those contesting Maharashtra Government’s ban on #singleuseplastics I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage it’s doing? Shouldn’t you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared. (sic)"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All those contesting Maharashtra Government’s ban on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singleuseplastics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#singleuseplastics</a> I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage it’s doing? Shouldn’t you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared. <a href="https://t.co/6z5oVBjNFB">pic.twitter.com/6z5oVBjNFB</a></p>
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) <a href="https://twitter.com/deespeak/status/981565661494239232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tag, I’m it – thanks for tagging me <a href="https://twitter.com/adriangrenier?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adriangrenier</a>! I switched to biodegradable sanitary napkins when I realised they are made mostly of plastic!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatPlasticPollution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatPlasticPollution</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/UNEnvironment?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNEnvironment</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldEnvironmentDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldEnvironmentDay</a>! Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/sahil_sangha?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sahil_sangha</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aliaa08?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aliaa08</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JNJCares?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JNJCares</a> – Tag, you’re it! <a href="https://t.co/gmi8prQERU">pic.twitter.com/gmi8prQERU</a></p>
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) <a href="https://twitter.com/deespeak/status/1000721492768772102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Following Dia's lead, many other actors have come forward and shared their efforts at saving the environment. Much like the fitness challenge, the #BeatPlasticPollution hashtag has gone viral ever since with celebrities highlighting the ill-effects of plastic in their respective posts.<br />
<br />
Alia Bhatt, Arjun Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Saina Nehwal- all posted videos urging people to ban plastic.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatPlasticPollution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatPlasticPollution</a> by switching to steel or glass bottles today! Plastic bottles take 450 years or more to decompose, harming us and our environment.&nbsp;I’m now one step closer towards purging plastic from my life. Hope you guys will make the switch too!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LetsCoexist?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LetsCoexist</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/deespeak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deespeak</a> <a href="https://t.co/VyI70hggRv">pic.twitter.com/VyI70hggRv</a></p>
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) <a href="https://twitter.com/aliaa08/status/1003172675265548288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It takes one small step to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatPlasticPollution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatPlasticPollution</a>! I’ve replaced using plastic bottles with a metal one. It’s convinient & environment friendly. Tagging <a href="https://twitter.com/AnushkaSharma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnushkaSharma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RanveerOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RanveerOfficial</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/ParineetiChopra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParineetiChopra</a> to take up the challenge & inspire others to choose a sustainable future. <a href="https://t.co/JNWbIgiVU8">pic.twitter.com/JNWbIgiVU8</a></p>
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) <a href="https://twitter.com/arjunk26/status/1003245686366695425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I hereby challenge, <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SrBachchan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AnupamPKher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnupamPKher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sachin_rt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sachin_rt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KKRiders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/sonamakapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sonamakapoor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkummarRao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RajkummarRao</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mrsfunnybones?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mrsfunnybones</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jiteshpillaai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jiteshpillaai</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/realpreityzinta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realpreityzinta</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Varun_dvn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Varun_dvn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheShilpaShetty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheShilpaShetty</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AnilKapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnilKapoor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@priyankachopra</a><br />
<br />
I hope you complete the challenge & tag others too? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatPlasticPollution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatPlasticPollution</a> <a href="https://t.co/x1ZpdjwcWO">pic.twitter.com/x1ZpdjwcWO</a></p>
— Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/iam_juhi/status/1003545481476075522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The movement to beat plastic pollution is growing and I urge you to <a href="https://t.co/nBnPP29oav">https://t.co/nBnPP29oav</a> can#BeatPlasticPollution&nbsp;by sharing a video or photo on this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldEnvironmentDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldEnvironmentDay</a> .I would like to challenge my friends to spread this initiative <a href="https://twitter.com/parupallik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parupallik</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PRANNOYHSPRI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PRANNOYHSPRI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GuruSaiDutt1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GuruSaiDutt1</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/0l48nAIrA8">pic.twitter.com/0l48nAIrA8</a></p>
— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSaina/status/1003277269773643776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dee!!!??? Thank you for taking up this wonderful initiative & for making sure we stay responsible always! ??<br />
Nominating <a href="https://twitter.com/DianaPenty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DianaPenty</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sonamakapoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sonamakapoor</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkummarRao?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RajkummarRao</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/ReallySwara?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ReallySwara</a>. Hope you guys are up for a challenge! ?☺️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatPlasticPollution?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatPlasticPollution</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldEnvironmentDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldEnvironmentDay</a><a href="https://twitter.com/deespeak?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deespeak</a> <a href="https://t.co/D8PDkaM4tI">pic.twitter.com/D8PDkaM4tI</a></p>
— Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) <a href="https://twitter.com/aditiraohydari/status/1003259731132076033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kangana Ranaut too pledged her support to the initiative.&nbsp;The actress recently shot a video for an initiative by Sadguru-led Isha Foundation to ban plastic. Reiterating her message in the video, Kangana said, “According to reports, in 30 years, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I urge everyone to ban the use of plastic bags. I’m&nbsp; joining Rally for Rivers and United Nations in the fight against plastic pollution, and I request everyone to do the same.”</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0 padding:0 4px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjoW40ynaC5/" style=" color:#000 font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px text-decoration:none word-wrap:break-word" target="_blank">"In 30 years, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I urge everyone to ban single use plastic bags. I’m joining #RallyForRivers & @UNEnvironment in the fight against plastic pollution"- #KanganaRanaut @sadhguru @ishafoundation #BeatPlasticPollution @rallyforrivers #WorldEnvironmentDay2018 #saveenvironment #savetheplanet #sadhguru #WorldEnvironmentDay</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px margin-bottom:0 margin-top:8px overflow:hidden padding:8px 0 7px text-align:center text-overflow:ellipsis white-space:nowrap">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/team_kangana_ranaut/" style=" color:#c9c8cd font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px font-style:normal font-weight:normal line-height:17px" target="_blank"> Kangana Ranaut</a> (@team_kangana_ranaut) on <time datetime="2018-06-05T05:05:16+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif font-size:14px line-height:17px">Jun 4, 2018 at 10:05pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>The celebrities have been nominating others to keep the pledge going, thereby spreading more awareness around the issue.&nbsp;</p>


The celebrities have shared posts to spread awareness about the harmful effects of plastic.

The world is choking because of plastics and celebrities like Dia Mirza, Juhi Chawla, Alia Bhatt and others have been urging people to say no plastic products. On World Environment Day, scores of Bollywood celebrities took to social media to spread awareness around the harmful effects of the environment. Dia Mirza, who is been fighting for the cause for many years, has time and again urged people to stop using plastic. A few weeks back, the actress had shared a horrific image on a drain in Mumbai choked with plastic and wrote, "All those contesting Maharashtra Government’s ban on #singleuseplastics I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage it’s doing? Shouldn’t you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared. (sic)" All those contesting Maharashtra Government’s ban on #singleuseplastics I want to ask you, WHY? How can you NOT see the damage it’s doing? Shouldn’t you be responsible for the waste you generate? We are drowning in plastics. Our health, water, soil, seas, nothing is spared. pic.twitter.com/6z5oVBjNFB — Dia Mirza (@deespeak) April 4, 2018 × Tag, I’m it – thanks for tagging me @adriangrenier! I switched to biodegradable sanitary napkins when I realised they are made mostly of plastic!#BeatPlasticPollution with @UNEnvironment for #WorldEnvironmentDay! Hey @sahil_sangha @aliaa08 @JNJCares – Tag, you’re it! pic.twitter.com/gmi8prQERU — Dia Mirza (@deespeak) May 27, 2018 × Following Dia's lead, many other actors have come forward and shared their efforts at saving the environment. Much like the fitness challenge, the #BeatPlasticPollution hashtag has gone viral ever since with celebrities highlighting the ill-effects of plastic in their respective posts. Alia Bhatt, Arjun Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Saina Nehwal- all posted videos urging people to ban plastic. #BeatPlasticPollution by switching to steel or glass bottles today! Plastic bottles take 450 years or more to decompose, harming us and our environment. I’m now one step closer towards purging plastic from my life. Hope you guys will make the switch too!#LetsCoexist @deespeak pic.twitter.com/VyI70hggRv — Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) June 3, 2018 × It takes one small step to #BeatPlasticPollution! I’ve replaced using plastic bottles with a metal one. It’s convinient & environment friendly. Tagging @AnushkaSharma @RanveerOfficial & @ParineetiChopra to take up the challenge & inspire others to choose a sustainable future. pic.twitter.com/JNWbIgiVU8 — Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) June 3, 2018 × I hereby challenge, @SrBachchan @AnupamPKher @sachin_rt @KKRiders @sonamakapoor @RajkummarRao @mrsfunnybones @jiteshpillaai @realpreityzinta @Varun_dvn @TheShilpaShetty @AnilKapoor @priyankachopra I hope you complete the challenge & tag others too? #BeatPlasticPollution pic.twitter.com/x1ZpdjwcWO — Juhi Chawla (@iam_juhi) June 4, 2018 × The movement to beat plastic pollution is growing and I urge you to https://t.co/nBnPP29oav can#BeatPlasticPollution by sharing a video or photo on this #WorldEnvironmentDay .I would like to challenge my friends to spread this initiative @parupallik @PRANNOYHSPRI @GuruSaiDutt1 ? pic.twitter.com/0l48nAIrA8 — Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) June 3, 2018 × Dee!!!??? Thank you for taking up this wonderful initiative & for making sure we stay responsible always! ?? Nominating @DianaPenty, @sonamakapoor, @RajkummarRao & @ReallySwara. Hope you guys are up for a challenge! ?☺️#BeatPlasticPollution#WorldEnvironmentDay@deespeak pic.twitter.com/D8PDkaM4tI — Aditi Rao Hydari (@aditiraohydari) June 3, 2018 × Kangana Ranaut too pledged her support to the initiative. The actress recently shot a video for an initiative by Sadguru-led Isha Foundation to ban plastic. Reiterating her message in the video, Kangana said, “According to reports, in 30 years, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I urge everyone to ban the use of plastic bags. I’m joining Rally for Rivers and United Nations in the fight against plastic pollution, and I request everyone to do the same.” "In 30 years, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. I urge everyone to ban single use plastic bags. I’m joining #RallyForRivers & @UNEnvironment in the fight against plastic pollution"- #KanganaRanaut @sadhguru @ishafoundation #BeatPlasticPollution @rallyforrivers #WorldEnvironmentDay2018 #saveenvironment #savetheplanet #sadhguru #WorldEnvironmentDay A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@team_kangana_ranaut) on Jun 4, 2018 at 10:05pm PDT × The celebrities have been nominating others to keep the pledge going, thereby spreading more awareness around the issue.

On World Environment Day, Alia Bhatt, Dia Mirza, Kangana Ranaut and others bat for plastic-free space

<p>With the hill city staring at its worst water crisis, the World Environment Day would be a low-key affair.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the situation easing a bit, people are still getting water after three to four days for their home-based needs.</p>

<p>Not many programmes have been scheduled even though Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur would attend a function at Sundernagar in Mandi district.</p>

<p>Thakur would launch a tree plantation programme, inaugurate an exhibition on World Environment Day and also launch the Pollution Abating Plants Abhiyan (PAPA) at Sundernagar, officials said.</p>

<p>Education minister Suresh Bharadwaj would participate in a function at the Ridge here in which students and NGOs would take part.</p>

<p>The reckless felling of trees, unplanned and illegal constructions have reduced the queen of hills to a concrete jungle and drying up of water sources have plunged Shimla into severe water crisis.</p>


Despite the situation easing a bit, people are still getting water after three to four days for their home-based needs

With the hill city staring at its worst water crisis, the World Environment Day would be a low-key affair. Despite the situation easing a bit, people are still getting water after three to four days for their home-based needs. Not many programmes have been scheduled even though Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur would attend a function at Sundernagar in Mandi district. Thakur would launch a tree plantation programme, inaugurate an exhibition on World Environment Day and also launch the Pollution Abating Plants Abhiyan (PAPA) at Sundernagar, officials said. Education minister Suresh Bharadwaj would participate in a function at the Ridge here in which students and NGOs would take part. The reckless felling of trees, unplanned and illegal constructions have reduced the queen of hills to a concrete jungle and drying up of water sources have plunged Shimla into severe water crisis.

World Environment Day to be low key in water scarcity hit Shimla

<p>The Environment and Forest ministry today roped in the National Geographic group to raise awareness over the single-use plastic and its harmful effects on the environment.</p>

<p>As part of the partnership, Environment minister Harsh Vardhan unveiled the first ever plastic free edition of the magazine, said a statement from the prominent environment based channel and magazine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"National Geographic and the Ministry of Environment joined forces to support each other's initiatives aimed at addressing the perils of single-use plastic," it said.</p>

<p>In a country where more than 40 per cent of plastic waste remains uncollected, it is critical to understand just how severe the continued use of single-use plastic could become for the sustainability of the ecosystem," said Swati Mohan, Business Head, National Geographic and Fox Networks Group India.</p>


As part of the partnership, Environment minister Harsh Vardhan unveiled the first ever plastic free edition of the magazine

The Environment and Forest ministry today roped in the National Geographic group to raise awareness over the single-use plastic and its harmful effects on the environment. As part of the partnership, Environment minister Harsh Vardhan unveiled the first ever plastic free edition of the magazine, said a statement from the prominent environment based channel and magazine. "National Geographic and the Ministry of Environment joined forces to support each other's initiatives aimed at addressing the perils of single-use plastic," it said. In a country where more than 40 per cent of plastic waste remains uncollected, it is critical to understand just how severe the continued use of single-use plastic could become for the sustainability of the ecosystem," said Swati Mohan, Business Head, National Geographic and Fox Networks Group India.

World Environment Day:  Environment ministry partners with Nat Geo to create awareness over single-use plastic

<p>Describing plastic pollution as a "very serious issue", former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh batted for a phased approach to tackle the problem on the eve of World Environment Day.</p>

<p>Stating that banning plastic was no solution to the pollution caused by it, he said waste management was the most important area that needed to be addressed on priority.</p>

<p>"We should not swing from one end of the pendulum to the other, going from believing that plastic is a very useful material, to contain its use across the board," he said at an event here.</p>

<p>India cannot ban plastic altogether due to a variety of reasons, including its use, he said, stressing on public education to discourage littering.</p>

<p>The event was organised by the Global Alliance Incinerator Alliance (GAIA).</p>

<p>"There is simply too much plastic in the environment. This has to change," said Pratibha Sharma, National Coordinator of GAIA India.</p>

<p>From May 16 to 26 this year, 10 GAIA member organisations and partners conducted clean-up and waste and brand audits in 18 states of India. Of the total waste collected, 46,100 pieces of plastic waste were branded, of which 47.5 per cent were multilayer plastic packaging which can neither be recycled nor composted, the organisation said in a statement.</p>

<p>"Through the brand audit activity, we found that there is a huge amount of waste in the form of single-use and multilayer plastic packaging that gets generated at a very high rate every single day. Such plastic waste is not only detrimental to the environment in terms of plastic pollution but is also causing frequent floods and drainage problems in Mumbai and other cities," the statement said.</p>


Stating that banning plastic was no solution to the pollution caused by it, he said waste management was the most important area that needed to be addressed on priority

Describing plastic pollution as a "very serious issue", former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh batted for a phased approach to tackle the problem on the eve of World Environment Day. Stating that banning plastic was no solution to the pollution caused by it, he said waste management was the most important area that needed to be addressed on priority. "We should not swing from one end of the pendulum to the other, going from believing that plastic is a very useful material, to contain its use across the board," he said at an event here. India cannot ban plastic altogether due to a variety of reasons, including its use, he said, stressing on public education to discourage littering. The event was organised by the Global Alliance Incinerator Alliance (GAIA). "There is simply too much plastic in the environment. This has to change," said Pratibha Sharma, National Coordinator of GAIA India. From May 16 to 26 this year, 10 GAIA member organisations and partners conducted clean-up and waste and brand audits in 18 states of India. Of the total waste collected, 46,100 pieces of plastic waste were branded, of which 47.5 per cent were multilayer plastic packaging which can neither be recycled nor composted, the organisation said in a statement. "Through the brand audit activity, we found that there is a huge amount of waste in the form of single-use and multilayer plastic packaging that gets generated at a very high rate every single day. Such plastic waste is not only detrimental to the environment in terms of plastic pollution but is also causing frequent floods and drainage problems in Mumbai and other cities," the statement said.

World Environment Day: Phased approach needed to tackle plastic pollution, says Jairam Ramesh

<p>There's almost more plastic than sand on this long, tree-lined beach: Plastic helmets, plastic furniture and the plastic leg of a shop mannequin all jut out of an ocean of blue plastic bags.</p>

<p>Just south of the capital Hanoi, the once-peaceful and clean beach of Da Loc in Vietnam`s Thanh Hoa province has been slowly suffocating under the weight of plastic waste for decades.</p>

<p>"Plastic bags have been waste here since the first day we started using them," said Pham Thi Lai, 60, a local seafood processor.</p>

<p>"They put everything in a plastic bag. If they`re preserving shrimp or preserving fish, they put it in a plastic bag," Lai said of local fishermen, many of whom shuck clam shells and dry shrimp between the mounds of plastic waste on the beach.</p>

<p>"When they finish they just throw the bags into the ocean. The trash floats to wherever the sea level rises," she said.</p>

<p>Vietnam is the fourth-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution globally, a 2015 study by the University of Georgia showed.</p>

<p>Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN&nbsp;Environment Programme.</p>

<p>The latest example was a pilot whale that died in Thailand with some 80 pieces of plastic rubbish found in its stomach.</p>

<p>The theme of World Environment Day&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;is beating plastic pollution, with a call for citizens, companies and civil society groups to organise the "biggest-ever worldwide cleanup".</p>

<p>On Monday, 41 embassies and international organisations in Vietnam signed a pledge to combat plastic pollution in the country.</p>

<p>"As international partners, we have the privilege to work in Vietnam and have a collective responsibility to reduce our plastic footprint in this beautiful country," Canadian ambassador Ping Kitnikone said in a statement.</p>

<p>The problem in Vietnam has become so bad that some people in tourist areas have started handing out reusable bags made from rattan, and use newspapers to wrap market produce.</p>

<p>Officials in charge of the beach at Da Loc have struggled to keep up with the rising tide of waste.</p>

<p>"Water rises and falls every day, how can we clean it all?" said Ngo Ngoc Dinh, head of Da Loc People`s Committee. "We can`t escape it, we have to solve it ourselves".</p>

<p>"But we hope proper campaigns can help reduce environmental waste".</p>


Vietnam is the fourth-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution globally, a 2015 study by the University of Georgia showed

There's almost more plastic than sand on this long, tree-lined beach: Plastic helmets, plastic furniture and the plastic leg of a shop mannequin all jut out of an ocean of blue plastic bags. Just south of the capital Hanoi, the once-peaceful and clean beach of Da Loc in Vietnam`s Thanh Hoa province has been slowly suffocating under the weight of plastic waste for decades. "Plastic bags have been waste here since the first day we started using them," said Pham Thi Lai, 60, a local seafood processor. "They put everything in a plastic bag. If they`re preserving shrimp or preserving fish, they put it in a plastic bag," Lai said of local fishermen, many of whom shuck clam shells and dry shrimp between the mounds of plastic waste on the beach. "When they finish they just throw the bags into the ocean. The trash floats to wherever the sea level rises," she said. Vietnam is the fourth-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution globally, a 2015 study by the University of Georgia showed. Globally, eight million tonnes of plastic is dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, according to the UN Environment Programme. The latest example was a pilot whale that died in Thailand with some 80 pieces of plastic rubbish found in its stomach. The theme of World Environment Day on Tuesday is beating plastic pollution, with a call for citizens, companies and civil society groups to organise the "biggest-ever worldwide cleanup". On Monday, 41 embassies and international organisations in Vietnam signed a pledge to combat plastic pollution in the country. "As international partners, we have the privilege to work in Vietnam and have a collective responsibility to reduce our plastic footprint in this beautiful country," Canadian ambassador Ping Kitnikone said in a statement. The problem in Vietnam has become so bad that some people in tourist areas have started handing out reusable bags made from rattan, and use newspapers to wrap market produce. Officials in charge of the beach at Da Loc have struggled to keep up with the rising tide of waste. "Water rises and falls every day, how can we clean it all?" said Ngo Ngoc Dinh, head of Da Loc People`s Committee. "We can`t escape it, we have to solve it ourselves". "But we hope proper campaigns can help reduce environmental waste".

World Environment Day: Vietnam beach awash with tide of blue waste

<p>By <strong>Amitabh Pashupati Revi</strong></p>

<p>Our battle cry is against climate change, the Seychelles President Danny Faure told WION on World Environment Day, and that India inspires with its leadership.</p>

<p>“The Paris agreement is the root for humanity. I think over time those who have questioned that will come back," President Faure told WION on US President Donald Trump pulling out of the climate change agreement, rising sea waters, and the threat to his 115-island archipelago.</p>

<p>Speaking to WION at the State House in the capital Victoria, President Faure said, "We signed the Paris agreement and we still believe that that's the root for humanity not for our country individually that's the root for humanity. It is our responsibility now to show them the responsibility for generations to come and not to vacillate — not to change positions as we go forward."</p>

<p>Asked how worried he is about rising sea levels because of global warming, President Faure said, “Our battle cry is to get all the people around the world to understand what is happening. It is no longer a question that you are comfortable in your own country and you believe that you can continue to make progress while others should regress.”</p>

<p>Faure added, “It’s very clear. It is climate change. It is a fact. It is reality. We from small countries say that. I am happy that a country like India has embarked on a very ambitious program on renewable energy. You have taken the lead with France on building the solar alliance, giving other countries the opportunity to participate. These are the things that will continue to inspire others and this is a type of leadership."</p>


'The Paris agreement is the root for humanity. I think over time those who have questioned that will come back,' Faure said

By Amitabh Pashupati Revi Our battle cry is against climate change, the Seychelles President Danny Faure told WION on World Environment Day, and that India inspires with its leadership. “The Paris agreement is the root for humanity. I think over time those who have questioned that will come back," President Faure told WION on US President Donald Trump pulling out of the climate change agreement, rising sea waters, and the threat to his 115-island archipelago. Speaking to WION at the State House in the capital Victoria, President Faure said, "We signed the Paris agreement and we still believe that that's the root for humanity not for our country individually that's the root for humanity. It is our responsibility now to show them the responsibility for generations to come and not to vacillate — not to change positions as we go forward." Asked how worried he is about rising sea levels because of global warming, President Faure said, “Our battle cry is to get all the people around the world to understand what is happening. It is no longer a question that you are comfortable in your own country and you believe that you can continue to make progress while others should regress.” Faure added, “It’s very clear. It is climate change. It is a fact. It is reality. We from small countries say that. I am happy that a country like India has embarked on a very ambitious program on renewable energy. You have taken the lead with France on building the solar alliance, giving other countries the opportunity to participate. These are the things that will continue to inspire others and this is a type of leadership."

Our battle cry is against climate change, Seychelles President Danny Faure tells WION on World Environment Day

<p>World Environment Day will be celebrated on 5th June. Did you know that Sweden's waste recycling management is so extraordinary that they have run out of waste and have started importing rubbish from other countries to keep its state-of-the-art recycling plants functioning.</p>

<p>Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011. &nbsp</p>

<p>So why is their recycling system so far ahead? &nbspSweden was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in 1991 and now sources almost half its electricity from renewables.&nbsp</p>

<p>“Swedish people are keen on being out in nature. We worked on communications to make people aware not to throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse,” said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management’s recycling association.</p>

<p>The aim in Sweden is still to stop people from sending waste for recycling altogether. A national campaign called the “Miljönär-vänlig” movement has for several years promoted the notion that there is much to be gained through repairing, sharing and reusing.&nbsp</p>

<p>Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter.</p>

<p>“That is a key reason that we have this district network so that we can make use of the heating from the waste plants. In the southern part of Europe, they do not make use of the heating from the waste, and, it just goes out the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel,” PTI reported Gripwell as saying.</p>

<p>She describes Sweden’s policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries as a temporary situation. “There’s a ban on landfill in EU countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to do in Sweden,” Ms Gripwall says.</p>

<p>A lot of investment has been gone into enhancing the waste collection techniques such as automated vacuum systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collection transport, and underground container systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells.<br />
&nbsp</p>


Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011

World Environment Day will be celebrated on 5th June. Did you know that Sweden's waste recycling management is so extraordinary that they have run out of waste and have started importing rubbish from other countries to keep its state-of-the-art recycling plants functioning. Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011. So why is their recycling system so far ahead? &nbspSweden was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in 1991 and now sources almost half its electricity from renewables. “Swedish people are keen on being out in nature. We worked on communications to make people aware not to throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse,” said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management’s recycling association. The aim in Sweden is still to stop people from sending waste for recycling altogether. A national campaign called the “Miljönär-vänlig” movement has for several years promoted the notion that there is much to be gained through repairing, sharing and reusing. Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter. “That is a key reason that we have this district network so that we can make use of the heating from the waste plants. In the southern part of Europe, they do not make use of the heating from the waste, and, it just goes out the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel,” PTI reported Gripwell as saying. She describes Sweden’s policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries as a temporary situation. “There’s a ban on landfill in EU countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to do in Sweden,” Ms Gripwall says. A lot of investment has been gone into enhancing the waste collection techniques such as automated vacuum systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collection transport, and underground container systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells.

Sweden has run out of waste and is importing it from other countries

<p>India is the global host of World Environment Day (WED) celebrations this 5th June, and will urge governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives.</p>

<p>With ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ as its theme, the country aims to raise awareness to reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic which not only pollutes the oceans or damage marine life but threatens the human life.</p>

<p>With efforts to discourage use of hazardous plastic, a week-long environmental awareness campaign and pollution mitigation activities are being planned in Delhi and other parts of the country from June 1 to 5.</p>

<p>India previously hosted the World Environment Day in 2011.&nbsp</p>

<p>Every year, a different country is selected as the principal venue for the global celebrations of the day.</p>

<p>A United Nation Environment-led global event, the day was first celebrated in the year 1974, to bring environmental concerns into the mainstream of the national developmental effort.</p>

<p>The day also aims to bring people to the forefront of environmental conservation.</p>

<p>According to several reports, every year the world uses 500 billion plastic bags and nearly 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans.</p>

<p>Plastic also makes up 10% of all of the waste humans generate in today's time.</p>

<p>It is one of the biggest environmental threats and the countries need a better waste management system to cope with the sheer quantity of plastic.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the theme for 2017 was 'Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator'.&nbsp</p>

<p>The theme urged people to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share.&nbsp</p>

<p>It invited people to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it.&nbsp</p>


India previously hosted the World Environment Day in 2011.

India is the global host of World Environment Day (WED) celebrations this 5th June, and will urge governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives. With ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ as its theme, the country aims to raise awareness to reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic which not only pollutes the oceans or damage marine life but threatens the human life. With efforts to discourage use of hazardous plastic, a week-long environmental awareness campaign and pollution mitigation activities are being planned in Delhi and other parts of the country from June 1 to 5. India previously hosted the World Environment Day in 2011. Every year, a different country is selected as the principal venue for the global celebrations of the day. A United Nation Environment-led global event, the day was first celebrated in the year 1974, to bring environmental concerns into the mainstream of the national developmental effort. The day also aims to bring people to the forefront of environmental conservation. According to several reports, every year the world uses 500 billion plastic bags and nearly 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans. Plastic also makes up 10% of all of the waste humans generate in today's time. It is one of the biggest environmental threats and the countries need a better waste management system to cope with the sheer quantity of plastic. Meanwhile, the theme for 2017 was 'Connecting People to Nature – in the city and on the land, from the poles to the equator'. The theme urged people to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share. It invited people to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it.

World Environment Day 2018: Discourage use of hazardous plastic

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