Environmentalist Sunita alarmed over plastic-littering in Himachal
SHIMLA: Noted environmentalist and director general (DG) of the Centre for Science and Environment Sunita Narain raised alarm over plastic littering in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh here on Wednesday.
“Himachal is a fine example across the country in environment conservation, but this time, I was surprised to find plastics littered on roadsides,” said Sunita Narain,who was delivering a lecture on environment as part of the lecture series initiated by the department of environment science and technology in main towns of the state.
Narain’s concern has come at a time when plastic waste dumped in nullahs is trickling from the town into the Ashwani Khad. Videos of plastic waste flowing into the khad had gone viral and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), taking a suo motu notice of the waste flowing into the khad, had sought a detailed report from the state government about the plastic waste dumped in nullahs.
“Himachal Pradesh is the only state in the country which has banned the use of plastics, but the ban was challenged in the Supreme Court. The state must win this battle as this is not the battle of Himachal alone, but this is a fight of the entire nation,” she said.
Vowing to back Himachal’s battle against plastics in the Supreme Court, Narain said, “The state high court has already banned packing of food items in the plastics. The case is pending in the apex court and we should all defend it."
Shrikant Baldi, additional chief secretary and principal secretary to chief minister Jai Ram Thakur was also on the dais along with additional chief secretary environment Tarun Kapoor.
The state high court had, in 2013, banned the storage, supply, sale and entry of non-essential food items packaged in plastics or non-biodegradable material.
“Himachal’s fight is our fight. We will join hands with the state government to support the notification banning the use of plastics,” she said.
WATER CRISIS
Narain also referred to the recent water crisis in Shimla.
“The water crisis in Shimla had caught the world's attention. The government should take measures to prevent Shimla from turning into South Africa’s Cape Town which is facing a severe water shortage. She emphasised to create more catchments in the town,” she said.
The world’s renowned environmental educator Katikeya V Sarabhai also spoke on the occasion.