MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) celebrated World Environment Day on 5th and 6th June, 2019. This year the theme was “Air Pollution”.
(c) The details of the programmes organized on the occasion of World Environment Day are as under:
(1) On 5th June, 2019 saplings were planted and a campaign #SelfieWithSapling was launched with reward for best selfies.
(2) On 6th June, 2019 a function was organized at New Delhi. The details of the programme were as under:
(i) A theme song “Hawa Aane De” on the theme of air pollution was released.
(ii) Two books namely, (i) Plant Discoveries-2018 (ii) Orchids of India by Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, and two books namely, (i) Animal Discoveries-2018(ii) Faunal Diversity of Mangrove Ecosystem in India by Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata were released.
(iii) Special issue System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status by National Tiger Conservation Authority was also released.
(iv) Two Films produced by Zoological Survey of India namely, The Great Nicobarand East Kolkata Wetlands were released.
(v) A Short Film Competition and Festival on Pollution was launched in collaboration with CMS Vatavaran, New Delhi.
(vi) Three thematic sessions were held on the themes: (i) Air Pollution (ii) Waste Management (iii) Forests: the Green Lungs of cities.
(vii) Tripartite MoUs with identified academic institutions in the States, respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and MoEFCC were signed as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to control and abate air pollution.
(3) State Governments were requested to celebrate World Environment Day. Several programmes like marathon, exhibition, poster/painting competitions, oath taking ceremonies, etc. were held at different locations across the nation.
(d)&(e) The Government is taking proactive steps to deal with plastic pollution in oceans and its impact on marine life and human health. MoEFCC in supersession of the earlier Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011has notified the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. Further amendment to the Rules was notified in March, 2018. As per the rules, carry bag and plastic sheet made of virgin or recycled plastic, shall not be less than fifty microns in thickness. The generators of waste have been mandated to take steps to minimize generation of plastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source and handover segregated waste to local bodies or agencies authorised by the local bodies. The Rules also mandate the responsibilities of local bodies, gram panchayats, waste generators, retailers and street vendors to manage plastic waste. The Rules mandate the producers, importers and brand owners to work out modalities for waste collection system based on the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility.
(f) Government has taken several measures to generate awareness and public participation towards cleaner environment. Details are as under:
(i) Ministry is implementing Environment Education, Awareness and Training (EEAT) Scheme with the objective to promote environmental awareness among all sections of the society. Under the National Green Corps (NGC) programme about one lakh schools have been involved as Eco-Clubs wherein nearly thirty lakh students are actively participating in various environmental protection and conservation activities, including the issues related to the environment management.
(ii) Ministry has launched the Green Good Deeds (GGDs) movement in January 2018 which is social movement with the aim of bringing about mass environmental awareness in the society at all levels.
(iii) National Museum of Natural History and its regional centres organise various outreach activities, theme-based exhibitions and galleries from time to time.
(iv) MoEFCC airs Audio-Visuals creatives through Doordarshan, Lok Sabha TV, FM Channels, Digital Cinema, TV News Channels to spread message to protect environment. Outdoor publicity campaign and advertisement in print media are also published. Social media like Twitter, Facebook, etc. are also used to spread awareness.
(v) MoEFCC and Governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi launched Clean Air for Delhi Campaign from 10th – 23rd Feb 2018. The campaign aimed at sensitizing ground-level functionaries and general public about their roles in making the air quality better in Delhi along with enforcement of various measures for improving air quality.
(vi) SAMEER app has been launched wherein air quality information is available to public along with provision for registering complaints against air polluting activities.
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