Technical solutions needed to tackle challenge posed by plastic waste: Dhami
Saturday, 18 February 2023 | PNS | DEHRAUDN
CM calls for working on concept of waste to wealth & energy
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that plastic waste generated from homes, industries, hotels, restaurants and other establishments has become a very big challenge. He stressed on the need for becoming aware and sensitive towards developing modern plastic waste recycling techniques to overcome this challenge. The CM also said that it is now time to work on the concepts of waste to wealth and waste to energy. Dhami also stressed on the need for more seriousness at the collective level to remove single use plastic from lifestyle usage. The CM said this while addressing a workshop on plastic waste management organised by the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) here on Friday. He also virtually inaugurated the State’s first waste to energy plant, Kashipur unit and released a short film on plastic waste management.
He appreciated the UEPPCB for EPR registration of industries and units linked to plastic production, stating that Uttarakhand is leading on this front in north India. “The time has come for work on waste to wealth and waste to energy in Uttarakhand. The concept of a circular economy will also help in reducing carbon emissions. There is a need for viewing waste not just as garbage but as a resource as it will also provide livelihood to common people while also generating employment opportunities. Many startups in the nation are coming forward with new techniques and products in this direction,” said Dhami.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a message on awareness on environment protection to the global community by initiating programmes like the Swachchhata mission, construction of toilets and Namami Gange mission. The campaign to remove plastic has gained impetus through Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan and other sanitation programmes, said the CM. Referring to Mission Life started under PM Modi, he said that this initiative is connected to every person’s life. The major challenge of environmental pollution can be tackled and the planet can be saved from a big threat if people make even small changes in their lifestyle, added Dhami.
Principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, Environment director SP Subudhi, UEPPCB member secretary Sushant Patnaik, Environment joint director Nitish Mani Tripathi and others were also present on the occasion.
