World Environment Day 2018: UGC Urges Universities and Colleges to Ban Plastic
- UGC has directed colleges and universities to ban the use of plastic items in the premises as an initiative towards the World Environment Day 2018 theme.
- India is globally hosting the UN event this year with a theme of Beat Plastic Pollution.
In a recent directive sent to all higher education institutes and universities of the country, theUniversity Grants Commissionhas asked them to ban the use of plastic items such as bottles, cups, lunch packets, bags, straws etc. on the campuses.
UGC has sent a letter in this regard after theUnion Environment Ministry's advisorywhich stated that the theme for this year'sWorld Environment Dayis'Beat Plastic Pollution'. The global host for the United Nation's largest event this year is India.
The universities have been asked to avoid and ban the use of lunch which is wrapped in disposable plastic packaging, takeaway coffee cups, food service cups, plastic straws, plastic bags, and other containers which are made of polystyrene foam materials etc. Instead, the colleges mustencourage the use of refillable thingson campus for a better and safer environment.
Also Read:List of Fake Universities in India by UGC
Additionally, the colleges have also been directed to conduct activities with an aim to make students aware of the health hazards that can be caused due to the use of plastic.Cleanliness drivesshould be carried out in municipalities as a part of theSwachh Bharat Mission.
In the letter, it was also highlighted that since India is hosting the global event, it aims to show commitment towards addressing problems related to all forms of pollution and to reduce its impact while driving efforts that will lead tosustainable development. TheHRD Ministryis also of the view that students shall be encouraged toreduce and re-use plastic productsand show solidarity in this collaborative effort.
Also Read:UGC, AICTE, NCTE to be Replaced
TheWorld Environment Day is being observed on 5th June 2018. The Environment Ministry is taking keen efforts to stop the use of plastic products while encouraging schools and colleges to contribute to the same. It has also set up a total of 19 teams that will undertake cleanliness drives at beaches, riverfronts and lakes in India.