THIS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, LET’S SAY NO TO PLASTIC.

05 Jun 2018

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Nature worship has been accorded the highest amount of respect in our country. From time immemorial we have been worshipping nature in varied forms. We consider Nature as a manifestation of Goddess and the five elements- space, air, fire, water and earth the foundation of an interconnected web of life.

Our ancestors adopted the model of simple living for the development of sustainable economies. It is true that our treatment of nature directly affects our karma and thus we need to utilize the gifts of nature judiciously and with the utmost respect. This World Environment Day, let us make collective efforts in fulfilling our responsibilities towards Mother Earth. This can only happen when we realize the different ways we are harming the environment in.

It might sound unbelievable but it is true that human beings are the reason behind the extinction of 1 million living species. Also, a considerable amount is under threat. Conditions are alarming, if we do not act now, the situation will aggravate further. It might sound baffling, but the amount of carbon dioxide in the air has risen by 34% since the 17^th century. Today, we have reached a stage where we are consuming natural resources 50% more than the earth can provide. It is time we stop exploiting the environment for our personal gain.

It is a matter of great pride for us that India will be the great global host of World Environment Day Celebration, 2018. With the highest recycling rates in the world, we are an emerging leader and can be largely instrumental in combating plastic pollution. Hosting of this event will help in accelerating the country’s leadership in an issue of paramount importance.

Madhya Pradesh has also been playing an important role towards conservation of the environment. In 2016 we started the Narmada Seva Yatra to protect, preserve and revive Maa Narmada, a lifeline for the people of the state by creating awareness. As a part of it, we planted more than 6 crore trees on the banks of the river stretching for kilometers. Efforts are underway to revive all other rivers in the state.

In our bid to march towards sustainable development and bring positive result in climate change, we came up with the largest solar project in Asia that was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. We are also coming up with a 750MW solar power plant in Rewa. It will change the dynamics of power generation in Madhya Pradesh and also be a major step towards conservation of nature. We have been taking a slew of similar decisions from time to time to march towards a healthy planet. I believe even small steps can bring big changes. Though a lot more needs to be done, we have been able to reduce plastic pollution to a certain level.

I read the news of the death of a whale caused by the consumption of eighty plastic bags. A recent photo series under National Geography’s Planet or Plastic rattled me greatly. It is painful to learn that millions of tons of wastes are dumped into the oceans every year. It is jeopardizing our marine lives. This planet is a home to the flora and fauna as much as it is a home to us. Our avarice should not be the reason for someone’s extinction.

Plastic is the worst type of pollution today. The plastic bags we use go into landfills and over the years litter the land space. About 100,000 animals are killed every year by ingesting plastic bags that they mistake for food. The worst part of it is that they are non-biodegradable and require 400 years for decomposition! All these are reasons good enough to convince us to give away the use of plastic for the sake of the environment. Realizing the detrimental effects of plastic, we’ve put a ban on its use in Madhya Pradesh. Also, we started an initiative of disposing of plastic wastes in brick kilns that will go a long way in tackling plastic pollution.

It is time we start working proactively for the conservation of nature. This World Environment Day, let us pledge to stop plastic pollution and do our bit to protect the environment.