Plastic peril is real and change begins with us, says NGT chairperson
Citing the 2025 World Environment Day theme, 'End Plastic Pollution,' the NGT chief underscored the urgent need to acknowledge the inextricable link between environmental health and human survival. 'The health of our planet directly affects all living beings. The NGT stands as a sentinel for environmental protection, but our efforts alone are insufficient without the active participation of every citizen,' he said.
Justice Shrivastava detailed the environmental toll of unchecked plastic use, which he described as not just a marine crisis but an existential one. 'This non-biodegradable menace harms marine life, suffocates terrestrial ecosystems, leaches harmful chemicals into our soil and water, and contributes significantly to air pollution when incinerated, releasing toxic fumes,' he explained.
While highlighting the tribunal's ongoing legal directives and regulatory efforts to rein in plastic use, the chairperson said structural change must be supported by personal responsibility. 'True change begins at the individual level. So, what measures can each of us, as responsible citizens, undertake to combat this plastic peril?' he asked, offering a set of everyday practices. Among the suggestions: refuse single-use plastics, carry reusable cloth bags and water bottles, reduce consumption of plastic-packaged goods, reuse items wherever feasible, and ensure proper waste segregation. 'Support local initiatives that collect and recycle plastic,' he urged.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Expedite final ESA, ESZ notifications for Western Ghats, NGT tells Centre
Kochi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to expedite the process and publish the final notifications of ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) and zones (ESZs) in the Western Ghats, particularly in states such as Kerala and Karnataka, where urgent action is warranted. The southern bench of NGT, while hearing a suo motu case on the 2024 Wayanad landslides, expressed concern that nearly a year had passed since the disaster, but little progress had been made on the notifications. Landslides in the Meppadi hills on July 30, 2024had buried entire villages — Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala and Noolpuzha — under massive debris, claiming 298 lives and causing extensive damage to property. The counsel for the environment ministry submitted that the final ESZ notification would be issued before August. The case has been posted for further hearing on Aug 11. Kerala govt has demarcated 8,711.98 sq km as ESA across 98 villages and submitted the details to the Centre. Idukki district accounts for the highest number of such villages (28), followed by Palakkad (13), Wayanad (12) and Malappuram (10). During the hearing, the NGT observed that the Western Ghats is a significant geological formation along India's west coast. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo As the cradle of biological evolution, the Ghats support a population of around 50 million people, with high population density in some areas. It emphasised the need to conserve and protect the region's unique biodiversity, while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development, especially in areas prone to or highly susceptible to landslides. The NGT noted that comprehensive studies conducted by Madhav Gadgil and K Kasturirangan may be relied upon. It urged the MoEF&CC to prioritise states such as Kerala and Karnataka and to ensure the early publication of the final ESA and ESZ notifications. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Zoological Survey of India's 110-hour hackathon culminates in Kolkata grand finale
Written by Shambhavi Pandey The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) celebrated the grand finale of its 110-hour national hackathon on Monday at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata, marking the 110th Foundation Day of the institute. The event was graced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav as Chief Guest, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), including Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests, Nameeta Prasad, Joint Secretary, and Ramesh Pandey, Additional Director General of Forests. The hackathon, which began on May 22 in honour of the International Day for Biodiversity, saw participation from 305 registered teams across the country. Following three progressive rounds—including regional showcases, a national-level screening, and semi-finals held in Pune on June 9—five teams from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Digha in West Bengal, Solan in Himachal Pradesh, and Shillong in Meghalaya qualified to the final round in Kolkata. Welcoming the guests and participants, ZSI Director Dr Dhriti Banerjee said, 'You are already a winner. Innovation in conservation is not a competition to be won only once—it's a lifetime of commitment which needs to be honoured daily.' Applauding the finalists, she emphasised how the hackathon has served as a powerful platform to foster environmental solutions led by youth. MoEFCC Director General of Forests Awasthi echoed her sentiment, calling the event 'a good stage for us to move forward in the field of biodiversity'. He noted that hackathons like these serve as collaborative spaces for professionals and individuals to solve environmental challenges with creativity and determination. In his keynote address, Minister Bhupender Yadav lauded the uniqueness of each team's presentation and highlighted that most of the finalists hailed from remote corners of the country. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE campaign launched on World Environment Day 2023, which outlines seven lifestyle changes—from saving water and energy to managing waste and promoting healthy living—as key to sustainable development. 'This country provides its youth with many opportunities,' he said, adding that their involvement in environmental innovation will be crucial to making the vision of a 'Vikasit Bharat' by 2047 come true. The Minister stressed the need to 'link research with policy and the economy', urging deeper collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and technologists. The author is an intern with The Indian Express
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Rename Tata Garden after Ratan Tata, residents tell Tata group
MUMBAI: Seeking to restore the lost glory and greenery of Tata Garden in Breach Candy, the residents of the area have appealed to the Tata Group to adopt the garden once again, and honour the legacy of their late chairperson by renaming it as 'Ratan Tata Garden.' By Monday, the petition had already garnered over 1,000 signatures. Mumbai, India - June 3, 2025:Tata Garden at Breach Candy, in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Anshuman Poyrekar/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) 'For the Coastal Road's development, our beautiful garden was made smaller and divided into three,' said Rajesh Dahiya, who started the petition. 'For the past 6 months, we have put in all efforts and care to ensure no more harm comes to it. We've closely tracked the boundary wall being built around it. Now, it is time the garden is rebuilt, and the first right to do so goes to the Tata Group.' Dahiya explained that it was the Tata Group that first adopted the garden, when it was just a patch of land, and turned it into the landmark it became. It had a canopied shade, walking trail, and stone benches that allowed residents to sit and enjoy the cool sea breeze. 'The Tata Garden was our landmark. All we had to do was tell the taxi drivers those two words, and they knew where to take us,' said Dahiya. 'Today, the garden is divided, neglected, choked by dust, and forgotten due to lack of maintenance and proper care.' As per the BMC D ward's garden department, the once 8,000-square-metre garden is now half its original size at 4,000 sq m, and in three parcels, the middle one being the largest. With the Tata Group investing heavily in the area, including working on the Coastal Road's median, the residents are hopeful they would want to return to the garden, too. 'Ratan Tata was a frequent visitor at the garden, and we know he was not the kind of man who would want a monument in his honour, but might like a garden named after his legacy,' Dahiya said. 'This way, the Tata Garden can be reborn as Ratan Tata Garden.' On June 5, World Environment Day, the residents planted 50 coconut tree saplings to kickstart the restoration effort. Dahiya said, 'We want a partnership with Tata Group and co-create the garden.' The petition suggests multiple features for the garden, some old, some new: a winded shaded path for morning walkers and elderly; accessible benches and gazebos for reading, chatting and resting; thoughtful landscaping; native trees that offer shade and attract butterflies; and a children's corner. The D ward is in support of the residents' plea to get corporates to look after the garden under the caretaker policy. 'The garden requires ₹ 2 crore to 3 crore to be spruced up, which the ward doesn't have,' said an official. 'Most of the fencing work around the garden is done, so it's the perfect time for someone to swoop in with funds.'
