Anti-plastic plans for World Environment Day across Indian states

India joined the global community in observing World Environment Day on Thursday, 5 June, with mass tree plantations, cleanliness drives and much-needed advocacy against plastic pollution.

India is the world's foremost contributor to plastic pollution, and also a leading manufacturer of plastic.

While prime minister Narendra Modi planted a token tree to launch the reforestation of the Aravalli Range, various states put out future plans to reduce plastic pollution as well.

Arunachal Pradesh

Governor Lt Gen. (Retd) K.T. Parnaik highlighted the importance of replacing plastic with cloth or biodegradable bags, segregating household waste, recycling responsibly, organising community clean-up drives, and educating the younger generation about environmental responsibility, the statement said.

The governor called upon youth, educators, community leaders, and all members of society to unite and work together to build a cleaner, greener, and plastic-free Arunachal Pradesh.

He highlighted the importance of replacing plastic with cloth or biodegradable bags, segregating household waste, recycling responsibly, organising community clean-up drives, and educating the younger generation about environmental responsibility.

The governor called upon youth, educators, community leaders and all members of society to unite and work together to build a cleaner, greener, and plastic-free Arunachal Pradesh.

Urging citizens to adopt environmentally responsible habits and firmly say ‘No’ to single-use plastics, Parnaik stressed the importance of spreading awareness about the hazards of plastic pollution, reducing dependency on disposable plastic products, strengthening plastic waste management systems, promoting the use of sustainable alternatives, and encouraging eco-friendly lifestyles

Gujarat

In Ahmedabad, the local police were seen out in force, manually cleaning up the Sabarmati waterfront.

Himachal Pradesh

Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off a cycle run from his official residence, the Oak Over, in Shimla.

The event was jointly organised by the state government's environment department and the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE).

Sukhu also launched the Plastic Neutral Himachal-2030 awareness campaign and the Clean Shimla Drive.

Students, volunteers, Home Guard Jawans and citizens participated in the initiative, with the chief minister administering a pledge to the gathering to make the state plastic-neutral.

He further said that protecting the environment from plastic is a shared responsibility of all citizens.

The chief minister said that serious and consistent efforts are required over the next five years, not only to free the state from plastic but also to raise awareness on the issue. Protecting nature is an integral part of the state’s culture and identity, he added.

Sukhu said that Himachal's natural beauty gives the state an unique identity, and it must be preserved by everyone adopting a positive and proactive approach to the plastic problem.

He also announced the gift of 6 lakh steel water bottles to schoolchildren so that they may readily avoid the use of plastic-packaged water.

Jharkhand

Chief minister highlighted the deep-rooted connection between the people of Jharkhand and nature.

"The very name 'Jharkhand' evokes images of forests, rivers, and mountains. The people of this state have always been close to nature and have a tradition of living in harmony with it," he said.

Addressing an event in Ranchi to mark World Environment Day, the chief minister said, "Today, the entire world is concerned about environmental conservation. If we are able to preserve our ecology, forests, trees, plants and rivers, we will also ensure the protection of human life."

Nagaland

Deputy chief minister T.R. Zeliang said, "Plastic may be useful but its negative impact is far greater," urging citizens to collectively combat plastic pollution.

Minister for forest, environment and climate change C.L. John highlighted the state government’s crackdown on single-use plastics (SUP). Since June 2023, SUPs have been banned in Nagaland, which was followed by a complete ban on plastic carry bags and bottles below 1 litre capacity from 1 August 2024.

Odisha

Noting that plastic has become indispensable in daily life, particularly single-use plastic, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the excessive use of plastic has posed problems like climate change, erosion and pollution of nature's water, land and biodiversity, and the problem of garbage.

He said the state has also started a clean air programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated urban areas and improve atmospheric air quality.

"Our government has taken proactive steps to ban single-use plastic, promote its long-lasting alternatives and strengthen waste management systems. To bring about real change in society, it must first start with ourselves and our families," he said.

"Today, we will take a pledge to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy and clean environment for our citizens. A healthy environment is necessary for a healthy society," he said.

Sikkim

Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang said Sikkim is committed to the global fight against plastic pollution and urged the people of the state to renew their commitment to protect the planet from the pervasive threat of plastic waste.

"Sikkim is more than just a state, it is a living laboratory of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Sikkim's journey is one of setting a national benchmark in green governance," he said in a post on Facebook.

"Committed to the global fight against plastic pollution, the state banned single-use plastics very early and continues to promote eco-friendly alternatives with strong community support," he said.

Tamang added that the recognition of Khachoedpalri Lake as the state's first Ramsar site in February is a landmark achievement.

"It is a reminder that every water body, every forest, and every mountain is a sacred trust that the people must protect for future generations," he said.

"Recent camera trap evidence of tigers and snow leopards, along with frequent discoveries of new flora and fauna, reflect the thriving health of Sikkim’s forests and ecosystem," he said. The CM said that Sikkim has demonstrated that development and ecology are not adversaries, but allies.

Uttarakhand

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami administered an oath for a plastic-free Uttarakhand and provided cloth bags to schoolchildren.

Dhami directed the forest department to plant at least one thousand fruit trees in every forest division of the state this year so that wild animals can get adequate food.

He urged the people of the state and pilgrims visiting the state not to feed animals anything that is harmful to their health.

He also called upon residents of the state to plant trees on birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other important occasions. "Only with such efforts will we be able to promote environmental conservation," he said.

West Bengal

Senior minister Chandrima Bhattacharya called upon mothers to motivate their children to stop the use of single-use plastics, at a gathering of schoolchildren.

Bhattacharya, who is minister of state for environment, said the West Bengal government is actively working to promote the use of bags made of biodegradable materials like jute and cloth as an alternative to plastic packets.

She pointed out that rampant use of single-use plastics clutters water bodies and clogs drains, leading to inundation.

"We can stop this menace only by inducting members of the public, a significant number of them students and youth, in our 'Beat the Plastics' campaign initiated by WBPCB," she added.

A senior official of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) told reporters after the programme that 5,000 state-run and -aided schools across the state will be encouraged to undertake the 'Beat the Plastics' campaign from today.

"As part of the campaign, the schools are being asked to put up several garbage disposal bins on their campuses and the quantity of the dumped plastic bags will be assessed after a certain period. The school which will record the highest tonnage of such dumped materials will be awarded," the official added.

The WBPCB has also instituted the 'Paribesh' mobile app to allow real-time reporting of pollution issues and complaints.

And then there's inner pollution...

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged people to move beyond tokenism and embrace a sincere, action-oriented approach to environmental conservation, calling the environment "our first family" and a "shared heritage".

In a long Hindi message posted on X that seems to align with the UNEP's concerns on India's pollution problems, Yadav The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister stressed that environmental protection should not remain confined to bookish commitments or symbolic gestures, but must translate into real action.

He addressed his followers as "environmental kin" and said "[protecting] the environment is our natural duty".

He spoke too of two kinds of environments — one external, visible around us, and another internal, composed of feelings, sensitivity and tolerance.

"This inner environment," he said, "is what teaches us to live with others, to embrace diversity and to expand the horizons of our thinking. It is the foundation of our humanity."

He added that only when this internal environment, rooted in compassion and love, is protected, can the external environment truly be preserved.