Centre suggests state to try ‘plastic-for-coupon' scheme
Patna: Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change on Friday suggested that Bihar explore a 'plastic-for-coupon or cash' initiative, drawing inspiration from a successful model implemented in Goa.
The proposal was made by Tanmay Kumar, secretary of the ministry, while addressing the seminar on 'Ending plastic pollution: The road ahead', organised by the state's department of environment, forest and climate change.
He proposed that the initiative could be executed through urban local bodies and commended the state's achievements under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which saw 4.42 crore saplings planted, exceeding the target by 42 lakh.
Naresh Pal Gangwar, additional secretary of the ministry, highlighted the elimination of single-use plastics and detailed how plastic pollution is adversely affecting health. "The central govt has already banned those plastic products for which viable alternatives exist," he said, urging states to strengthen their systems through sustained collaborative efforts.
In her address during the inaugural session, Harjot Kaur Bamhrah, additional chief secretary of state environment, forest and climate change department raised concerns over the environmental damage caused by single-use plastic.
She said, "The state govt has taken decisive steps, including restrictions on the manufacture, storage, import, transport, sale and use of single-use plastics where alternatives are available.
" She also stressed the need to eliminate non-essential and non-biodegradable plastics and affirmed the state's continued cooperation with the Centre on plastic management.
Technical sessions during the seminar included presentations on 'Plastic waste management in urban local bodies in Bihar" by the department of urban development and housing, "Legal provisions for the elimination of single-use plastic" by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and "Methods, challenges and opportunities adopted by Patna Municipal Corporation for plastic waste management."
In his welcome address, Prabhat Kumar Gupta, principal chief conservator of forests (HoFF), highlighted the challenges posed by single-use plastic and the urgent need for collaborative action from all sectors.
D K Shukla, chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board, elaborated on the grave environmental consequences of plastic waste. He said establishing user responsibility was essential for its effective management.
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