Govt mulls to make Ardh Kumbh mela plastic-free
New Delhi: In a move that may help in saving the environment from the plastic pollution, the government has mulled to make Ardh Kumbh mela, which is scheduled to be held in Allahabad from January to March 2019, a plastic-free religious congregation.
Talking about the proposal, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan said that plastic pollution has become a global menace and India is putting in its best efforts to put a check on the use of plastic.
"We are committed to protecting the environment and have taken several key initiatives to save our natural resources. No doubt plastic has become a major cause of environmental pollution. So the government has planned to make Ardh Kumbh mela a plastic-free festival," the minister said, adding that protection of the environment is a moral responsibility in the context of the rights of an unborn child.
Explaining about the plan to expedite the proposal, Vardhan said, "Protecting environment has always been a topmost priority for the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have held some rounds of discussion with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the issue, who has assured to all possible support in organising plastic free Kumbh mela."
"At present, the proposal is at the initial stage. The final roadmap would be prepared in this regard after detailed discussion with other stakeholders," a senior official said.
While emphasising that circular economy and resource efficiency can provide solutions to the challenges posed in the process of reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability, Vardhan also pointed to the need for corporate participation in building resource efficiency and a circular economy.
While addressing the inaugural session of CII's 13th Sustainability Summit on Thursday, Vardhan said, "Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan about 8 crore toilets have been built across the country and it is a unique record that every school in India has a toilet. Also, 4 lakh villages are open defecation-free in the country."
