UNEP launched the 'Clean Seas' programme in February 2017 to fight marine plastic litter with the help of governments, civil society and citizens
With the threat of plastic pollution mounting and its deadly impacts on marine ecosystems, India is now preparing to join the global 'Clean Seas Campaign', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here at an occasion marking World Environment Day (WED). PM Modi expressed concern regarding marine litter especially micro-plastics, which he said is a "major trans-boundary problem." This year, India is the global host of the WED in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with 'Beat Plastic Pollution' as its theme.
UNEP launched the 'Clean Seas' programme in February 2017 to fight marine plastic litter with the help of governments, civil society and citizens. "Plastic is already having a deadly impact on our marine ecosystem. Scientists and fishermen alike have pointed to signs of trouble. These include declining fish catches, warming ocean temperatures, and vanishing habitats," PM Modi said.
"Plastic pollution is now entering our food chain. In fact, micro-plastics have now even entered basic food like salt, bottled water and tap water…India is preparing to join the 'Clean Seas Campaign' and make its contribution towards saving our oceans," he added.
According to the Clean Seas campaign at least 8 million tonnes of plastic leaks into the ocean each year. This has had a severe impact on aquatic life, found to be literally dying due to ingestion.
The environment ministry's focus during this year's event was on curbing single-use plastic that is used on a daily basis across the country. According to official data, about 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every year in India and of this, only 60 per cent is recycled. Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said, "Plastic is not the problem, but what we do with plastic is the problem. Plastic packaging accounts for all plastic waste, which is all single use," adding his ministry hopes to eliminate it by 2022.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}