New Delhi: With few hours left for India to host 45th World Environment Day, celebrations have already begun. From BCCI committing to green cricket by phasing out single-use plastic across stadiums and cricket events in the country to Maharashtra flagging off electric vehicles, from Hyderabad to introducing black bags for plastic waste to Andhra Pradesh racing towards being India’s first 100 per cent natural farming state, a lot has been done before World Environment Day. But more is in store! A series of events are planned in India to make this World Environment Day a historic event.
Here is what all you can expect tomorrow, June 5.
Prime Minister’s Address: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the nation on the occasion of World Environment Day and discuss the issue of plastic pollution. Earlier in his 44th edition of Mann ki Baat, a monthly radio programme, Prime Minister spoke about the event and said India is delighted to be a global host for this year’s World Environment Day celebrations. Highlighting the theme of this year’s celebrations and asking people to do their bit for the environment, PM Modi said,
This year’s theme is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’ My appeal to everyone, understand the importance of the day, understand the theme, say no to the use of plastic and save our planet from ill-effects of plastic pollution. We all should ensure that we do not use low-grade polythene and low-grade plastics and try to curb the negative impact of plastic pollution on our environment, on our wildlife and our health.
Also Read: Mann Ki Baat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Says India Delighted To Host World Environment Day
World Environment Day Exhibition At The Vigyan Bhawan: The five day exhibition (June 1 – June 5) features dialogue series, information booths and high-level discussions focused on the various facets of plastic, from its many irreplaceable uses in industries like construction, the medical field, and the food industry, to the issue of single-use plastics and the need for sustainable alternatives. While on June 1, air pollution campaign and its impact was discussed, June 2 was devoted to marine litter and strategies. On June 3, the focus was plastic economy and sustainable living and on June 4, a green federation meeting was expected to be held. Marking the end of the event, on June 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pay a visit to the exhibition.
Aaditya Thackeray, Divya Dutta And Officials To Join Beach Please In Dadar Beach Clean-Up: Beach Please, a student led group that has been cleaning the Dadar Beach for the last 39 Weeks, clearing around 150 tonnes of trash from the shores, is all set up to clean-up the beach on the occasion of World Environment Day. Beach Please and Go Green Yuva with the support of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai are organising the World Environment Day 2018 Celebration which will be joined by Aaditya Thackeray, President of Yuva Sena, actor Divya Dutta, BMC Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, BMC Deputy Mayor Hemangi Worlikar, MLA Sada Sarvankar, and corporator and leader of the house Vishakha Raut. Apart from beach clean-up, all the organisations and individuals that have helped Beach Please in cleaning up Dadar Beach will be felicitated and all the beach warriors will take a pledge to not use any kind of single use plastic and #BeatPlasticPollution. The event will also see a sand six to eight feet high sculpture.
In order to beat plastic pollution, we are not using any kind of plastic during the clean-up. Even the banners are made of cotton and paper, tells Malhar Kalambe, Founder, Beach Please, while speaking to NDTV.
World Environment Day 2018: Beach Please, a student led group will be cleaning Mumbai’s Dadar Beach
Also Read: Maharashtra Plastic Ban: Citizens Open Cloth Bag Banks In Pune To Fight Plastic Menace
Being Volunteer, A Pune Based Non-Profit Organisation To Reuse Plastic Waste: Being Volunteer has already initiated the celebrations to mark World Environment Day in their own way. While from June 2 – June 5, they organised an exhibition on ‘Solution of Plastic Pollution’ by Atulji Wagh, a record holder in Limca Book of records, three different clean-up drives were organised from June 2 – June 4 in Pune. For June 5, a recyclothon – making best out of plastic waste activity is planned.
Mayor Muktatai Tila inaugurated the exhibition on ‘Solution of Plastic Pollution’
Environment Minister To Honour Schools That Become Plastic Free: The Environment Ministry led by Dr. Harsh Vardhan has decided to honour schools that become plastic-free and publicise the harmful effects of plastics in a mission mode by undertaking various activities. The minister is expected to present a ‘Green School or College’ certificates to institutions that declare themselves free from plastic pollution before June 5.
