World Environment Day marks beginning of India's war against plastic pollution: Harsh Vardhan

This World Environment Day marks the beginning of India's war against plastic pollution, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said today at an event here.

The minister said that he had made a personal pledge to give up single-use plastic for the rest of his life. The event on World Environment Day was hosted by the Art of Living Foundation.

"World Environment Day is not a symbolic occasion for us. It is beginning of our war against plastic pollution," he said.

The minister also said that he had committed to make India free of single-use plastic by 2022.

"If we have warriors like you, India will be single-use plastic-free country by 2022," he told the gathering.

Attending the event, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) executive director Erik Solheim said that he witnessed tremendous energy of individuals and the governments towards environment protection.

"I am sure you will make the change," he said.

Solheim also suggested India to move faster towards public transport system and electric mobility to tackle the problem of air pollution.

Referring to the role of spiritual leaders in creating awareness, he said that "people tend to listen much more to the spiritual leaders than the politicians", drawing huge applause and laughter from the audience.

Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appealed to people to cut consumption of single-use plastic by half.

The gathering was administered an oath to reduce consumption of goods to cut consumption of plastic by half and choose recyclable plastic over disposable type.

The Art of Living signed an MoU with J K Sharma, Director General of Home Guards, Delhi, to create 1,000 honorary Environment Marshals, out of the force. These marshals will create awareness in slums and other areas of New Delhi on the dangers of plastic and the importance of waste segregation.