Page 56 - Plastics News February 2022

IN THE NEwS

Assam Cabinet Approves Action Plan To PM Directs Indian

Eliminate Single-Use Plastics Navy To Join Mission

For Marine Plastics

he Indian Navy warships will
Tjoin the global campaign to
remove plastic waste from the seas,
contributing 100 ship-days for the
mission this year, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi announced on Friday
as he virtually participated at the One
Ocean summit hosted by French
President Emmanuel Macron. “India
is committed to eliminating single-use
plastic,” the Prime Minister said. He
said that India had recently undertaken
a nationwide awareness campaign to
clean plastic and other waste from
coastal areas Three hundred thousand
young people had collected almost 13
he Assam Cabinet has approved plastic by 2022, he said. Single-use plastic
Ta comprehensive action plan to products to be banned include earbuds tons of plastic waste. Macron hosted
eliminate single-use plastics and also to with plastic sticks, balloons fitted with the One Ocean Summit at Brest in
devise a programme for development plastic sticks, flags, spoons, knives, straw, France to step up the international
community’s ambition on maritime
of alternative and scientific disposal of trays, polystyrene (thermocol) products, issues and put into practice shared
plastic wastes, a minister said here. It is wrapping or packaging films wrapped responsibility for the oceans. “India will
decided at the Cabinet meeting, chaired around sweet boxes, invitation cards be happy to join France in launching a
by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and cigarette packets, Mahanta said.In a global initiative on single use plastics,”
that the Department of Revenue and bid to boost environment conservation,
Disaster Management, Industries and the Cabinet also decided to frame a
Commerce, Science and Technology, policy for compensatory plantation
Urban Development and Environment of trees felled on non-forest land for
and Forest will together prepare a infrastructure projects. It was decided
roadmap in this regard. "Protecting that for every tree felled for any road
environment being a priority, we finalised project in non-forest areas, 10 new trees
an Action Plan to phase out single- would be planted.All Divisional Forest
use plastics and ensure compensatory Officers (Territorial) would finalise the
afforestation at our weekly Assam demand for plantation of trees in 1:10
Cabinet," Chief Minister Himanta ratio, Mahanta said.In view of accidents Modi said, thanking Macron for the
Biswa Sarma tweeted. The plan is to caused by speeding, the Cabinet decided initiative. “Today, our security and
ban plastic carry-bags less than 75 to fix speed limits on different types prosperity are linked to oceans,”
microns in thickness with effect from of roads.The Cabinet also decided to Modi said, noting that India’s ''Indo-
September 30 and carry-bags less than provide land to 44 Self-Help Groups Pacific Oceans Initiative'' had marine
120 microns in thickness from December formed by local indigenous youths in resources as a key pillar. The Prime
31, Health Minister Keshab Mahanta and around Jamugurihat in Sonitpur Minister pledged India’s support to the
said after the meeting. Prime Minister district to prevent encroachment of land French initiative of a High Ambition
Narendra Modi had also announced and create meaningful employment for Coalition on Bio-diversity Beyond
that India would phase out single-use local youths. National Jurisdiction.

56 PLASTICS NEWS FEBRUARY 2022