Himachal Government launches campaign to clean up plastic waste

Himachal Pradesh government on Monday launched a statewide environment campaign from Dharamsala to remove plastic and polythene waste from hillsides, streets and scattered alongside the rivulets.

In a bid to emerge as leader in environment protection in the country, Himachal Pradesh government on Monday launched a statewide environment campaign from Dharamsala to remove plastic and polythene waste from hillsides, streets and scattered alongside the rivulets. State government announced to provide incentives to the citizens for collecting plastic waste.

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Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal kicked of the week - long campaign "Polythene Hatao- Paryavaran Bachao" with flagging off a rally of students of ITI, who began with collection of plastic waste in and around their institute in Darhi, village three kilometers away from the main town. Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal along with his cabinet colleagues initiated a plastic clean up drive from Mahant Panchayat, which is adjoining, to the main town.

Since there is no facility for garbage disposal, major portion of plastic waste is dumped in the nullahs in this panchayat, which has population exceeding 8,000 electorate. "We are trying to put in place a proper garbage disposal system. People have been asked to segregate the household waste' said Anurag Kumar Pardhan of Mahant Panchayat.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, while speaking at state level function organized at the community hall, appealed to people to participate actively to make it a community driven drive. Elated over the public response on the first day of plastic clean up drive, Chief Minister expressed faith that the campaign will gain success due to people's participation. "It becomes duty of everyone of us to protect the environment" said Dhumal while he said that Himachal Pradesh had imposed complete ban on use of polythene bags in the first week of October.

Disclosing incentives will be given for collecting plastic waste, Chief Minister Dhumal said centers for collection of plastic and polythene waste that would be set up and collected waste would be used for tarring of roads, along with bitumen. Dhumal said that people would be paid for providing dried plastics waste at the collection centers. 'Now one can earn from selling the plastic waste to government agencies involved in environment protection' Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the plastic waste will be used in cement plant kilns to produce electricity. He said that cement companies have shown interest and was ready to use the plastic waste in the plants.

On the occasion Dhumal sought support from people in making the state free from polythene. State government has identified 400 different sites for dumping of debris and other waste material, to curtail spread of pollutants.

Chief Minister lauded the efforts of environment department for its in initiative to protect the fragile economy of the state. Himachal Pradesh has set examples of environment protections for other states in country, said Dhumal hoping that outcome of the Shimla convention of Himalayan states on environment protection would be included in national mission. He said that the State had constituted the State Level Governing Council to oversee the environment protection activities. He announced opening of one Pollution Control Board Regional Office at Dharamshala for the benefit of the people of the

Highlighting the endeavors of his government in protecting environment, Dhumal said forestation drive launched by the government last year had remained successful. This year the state government is considering to plant about four crore trees of various species to increase the green cover.

Dhumal mentioned that large number of aromatic and medicinal plants was distributed to the public by the forest department, last year under Jan Sanjeevanai campaign. State government had tied up for marketing of herbs with Patanjli Yog Peeth of Swami Ramdev, which had offered to purchase entire produce of such medicinal herbs.