PM Modi To Inaugurate National Conference Of Environment Ministers Today, Will Focus On Climate Change, Plastic Pollution

The two-day National Conference of Environment Ministers, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will have six thematic sessions.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday inaugurate the National Conference of Environment Ministers in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat via video conferencing.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi is slated to address the gathering to take place at 10:30 am.

"Taking forward the spirit of cooperative federalism, Conference is being convened to create further synergy amongst the Central and State Governments in formulating better policies on issues such as Elimination of Plastic Pollution through multi-pronged approach, State Action Plans to effectively combat Climate Change with focus on LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment," the PMO statement read.

It further informed that the conference will also focus on increasing the forest cover with special emphasis on restoration of degraded land and wildlife conservation.

The two-day Conference being organised on Friday and Saturday (September 23 and 24) will have six thematic sessions.

The sessions will focus on topics such as "LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts) ; PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances) ; Forestry Management ; Prevention and Control of Pollution; Wildlife Management ; Plastics and Waste Management", the PMO statement mentioned.

Notably, India took a significant step in the fight against plastic pollution with the ban on select single-use plastic items from July this year.

India has banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, all across the country from July 1, 2022.

The ban on the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, has come into force from July 1.

The list of banned items includes earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

(With Agency Inputs)