Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani launches campaign against single-use plastic in India

Union Minister for Women, Child Development and Minority Affairs Smriti Irani on Friday launched an awareness campaign on single-use plastics (SUP) at the tourist spot Patnitop after she reached Udhampur for her two-day visit to the district as part of the Modi government's Public Outreach Programme.

Patnitop Development Authority has embarked upon a comprehensive plan to completely ban SUP across its jurisdiction in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, and Patnitop Development Authority Solid Waste Management Bye-Laws, 2021, to curb plastic pollution and protect the fragile ecosystem for a sustainable future.

The objective of the awareness campaign is to sensitize people about the risks associated with SUP, assess public opinion, and promote the use of alternatives.

Appreciating PDA's eco-friendly initiative while launching the awareness campaign from the lush green meadows of Patnitop, Smriti Irani urged the stakeholders and tourists to support and cooperate in preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of Patnitop Tourism Circuit.

“Plastics have adverse effects on all living beings and their ecosystems. Single-use plastics, particularly, have high littering potential, and the best way is to reduce their usage and gradually shun them. Behavioural change might seem difficult, but it is not impossible. Here, in this picturesque destination, tourists, tourism stakeholders, and the local populace must support the shift away from the reliance on plastics. They can also lead the way through innovation in plastic management, feasible alternatives and pollution management,” the Union Minister said.

On the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of PDA said: “PDA has been taking several initiatives to maintain ‘Clean Patnitop Green Patnitop’. We request the stakeholders to share their inputs and suggestions regarding the effective imposition of the ban, innovative solutions, and alternatives to plastics.”

Others present on the occasion were Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, SSPs Udhampur and Ramban, and PRI representatives.