Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said a policy would be framed to find alternatives to plastic within a year and industries would also be encouraged to seek substitutes for plastic.
Presiding over a state-level function on the World Environment Day, Sukhu said that gradually thereafter, the state government would enforce a complete ban on use of plastic. Emphasising on utilisation of plastic waste in road construction, he also called for incorporating culture and environment-oriented courses in the educational curriculum to promote environmental awareness amongst children.
The chief minister said that his dedication towards shaping a greener future for Himachal Pradesh was visible in the first green budget which emphasised on addressing environmental issues. Funds have been allocated for renewable energy initiatives besides focusing on combating single-use plastic, and the government's vehicles will be gradually replaced with electric vehicles in the next three years, he added.
Himachal Pradesh is taking the lead in establishing green corridors thereby becoming the first state in the country to do so and infrastructure development is underway for this purpose, he said. At the event, Sukhu was presented with a jacket made of recycled plastic waste as a symbol for promoting environmental awareness. He also inaugurated an exhibition of various self-help groups and other organizations.
Speaking on the occasion, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Dia Mirza, highlighted the adverse effects of plastic waste and its presence in the human bloodstream through the intake of various eatables.
The government and industries have to think together to tackle this menace, she said and exhorted them to work with collective responsibility.