PTI
NEW DELHI
In the run-up to World Environment Day celebrations on June 5, the Union Environment Ministry has asked schools to stop the use of plastics in their premises and constituted 19 teams to undertake cleaning of 24 beaches and an equal number of polluted river-fronts and lakes across the country.
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan has written to the principals of schools across the country, requesting them to declare their schools free from plastic pollution, based on which the institutions will be certified as ‘’Green School’’.
India is the global host of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations, the largest UN-led celebration on environment, and the theme for this edition is ‘’Beat Plastic Pollution’’.
“The Union Environment Minister has written to the principals of schools across the country, requesting them to declare their schools or institutions free from plastic pollution.
“The ministry will certify schools that become plastic free and publicise the harmful effects of plastics in a mission mode by undertaking various activities,” an official statement said.
The schools have been asked not to use plastic items such as plastic water bottles, plastic bags, plastic cups, plastic plates, plastic water jugs, plastic folders, trays or pendants.
Among activities include adopting a water body, pond, wetland, beaches or eco-sensitive area, etc. in or around schools and make them plastic free and undertaking cleanliness drives on prescribed holidays between April and May, the statement said.
At the end of the programme, the minister will be awarding certificates titled ‘’Green School or College’’ to institutions that declare themselves free from plastic pollution.
The programme will be monitored by senior officers of the ministry, regional offices of the ministry and the district administration. The minister will issue certificates to all participating schools and colleges as an appreciation of their efforts.
The government has also formed 19 teams which will undertake cleaning of 24
Beat plastic pollution campaign
Principals of schools across the country, urged to declare their schools or institutions free from plastic pollution
Ministry to certify schools that become plastic free and publicise the harmful effects of plastics
Schools asked not to use plastic items such as plastic water bottles, plastic bags, plastic cups, plastic plates, plastic water jugs, plastic folders, trays or pendants
Among activities include adopting a water body, pond, wetland, beaches or eco-sensitive area, etc. in or around schools and make them plastic free
Schools to be awarded certificates titled ‘’Green School or College’’ to institutions that declare themselves free from plastic pollution
