KO photo by Abid Bhat
Srinagar- Stating that humanity was facing the grave challenge of plastic pollution today, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday said it was high to incentivize and promote sustainable alternative materials for redesign and repackaging of products to protect the environment.
“Humanity is facing grave challenges of plastic pollution today. Our resolution on this year’s environment day is to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. It is now the responsibility of the entire society to accomplish this resolution through the spirit of Jan Bhagidari,” Sinha said.
He was addressing the World Environment Day event, organized by the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, at SKICC here on Monday.
The LG reiterated the commitment of his administration to protect the environment and natural resources and sustainable, inclusive development.
“We cannot exist without nature. This day reminds us to accelerate our actions and bring behavioural changes in our lifestyles. It should be the priority of all stakeholders to free our forests, rivers and lakes, mountains, grasslands, farms and urban landscapes from plastic pollution,” he said.
“This decade is going to matter the most in preventing catastrophic climate change and mitigating biodiversity loss. By 2040, we will be able to reduce plastic pollution by 20% only by adopting the strategy of circularity economy,” he added.
The LG called for the need to follow an integrated approach, circularity economy- Reuse, Recycle, Reorient and Diversify to reduce plastic pollution.
“It is high time we should incentivize and promote sustainable alternative materials for redesign and repackaging of products to protect the environment,” he said.
He also suggested creating a mechanism to generate employment opportunities from such transformation.
Speaking on the successful conduct of G20 Tourism Meet in Jammu Kashmir, the LG said the historic event has firmly placed the UT on the international tourism map.
“Our natural heritage of snow-capped mountains, magnificent peaks, rich forests, picturesque alpine meadows, serene lakes and streams needs to be protected from the threats of climate change,” the LG said.
“We are truly fortunate that nature has selflessly given us everything that is necessary for a better life and it is our bounden duty to show sensitivity towards nature and make efforts to conserve natural resources,” he added.
The LG also highlighted the efforts of the central government and the UT Administration to reduce the impact of plastic pollution.
“Cohesive efforts in urban development and planning policies are determining the future of our cities. In the last three years, there has been a rapid increase in awareness about environment, especially among the youth,” he said.
The LG lauded the Forest Department for the continuous efforts to spread awareness and reduce the adverse effect of climate change on the environment through the initiatives like ‘Har Gaon Haryali’, ‘Ped Lagao Beti Ke Naam’, Green Life Contest, Mission LiFE and encouraging Jan Bhagidari in environment protection campaigns.
Sinha also called for exploring all the possibilities to put to use the Green Technology and eco-friendly models showcased by the innovators and entrepreneurs from across the country and students from different schools during the exhibition
Under Mission LiFE, 10 lakh people participated in the 41,000 events organized across the UT, it was informed.
Earlier, the LG administered the LiFE-Lifestyle for the Environment pledge to the officers, students, and citizens from different walks of life present on the occasion.
He also felicitated the winners of the Green Life Contest 2.0, and the organizations, citizens, members of plantation committees and schools for their extraordinary contribution in environment protection campaigns.
The occasion also witnessed the launch of the Mobile app BIRD 1.0 for status and monitoring of Forest Boundary Pillars, developed by Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing department.
Reports on Climate Resilient City Action Plan for Srinagar and Jammu, and Forest Density-based Area Treatment Prioritization were also released by the dignitaries.
Administrative Secretaries, PRI Members, HoDs, Senior Officers, Students and people in large numbers were present.
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