Dehradun, July 29
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that effective enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic is not possible through government efforts alone. Public participation, awareness, and active cooperation of every citizen are essential. He emphasized that the campaign against single-use plastic must be turned into a mass movement to realize the resolve of making Uttarakhand a single-use plastic-free state.
On Wednesday, the Chief Minister participated in a state-level consultation workshop on “Effective Implementation and Enforcement of Single-Use Plastic Ban” organized at a hotel in Jakhan on the occasion of World Tiger Day. On this occasion, he released tiger-themed paintings and postcards. He also honoured individuals who took courageous steps in human-wildlife conflict and made remarkable contributions to wildlife conservation.
The Chief Minister said that the workshop organized on World Tiger Day is highly meaningful. It is not just a workshop, but a collective resolve to ensure a clean, safe, and green future for coming generations. He said that the tiger is not merely a wild animal but a symbol of our rich biodiversity and balanced ecosystem. If our forests remain safe, tigers will remain safe, and the balance of nature will also be preserved.
CM added that in Indian culture, nature is revered as a mother. Devbhoomi Uttarakhand holds a distinct identity across the country for its rich biodiversity, forest wealth, and wildlife conservation. The Corbett Tiger Reserve and Rajaji Tiger Reserve are powerful symbols of this heritage.
The Chief Minister said that single-use plastic has become a serious threat to the environment, rivers, soil, water sources, and wildlife. Plastic left in forest areas often gets mixed with the food of wild animals, adversely affecting their health. He stressed that an effective and decisive campaign against single-use plastic is the need of the hour to protect forests, rivers, and wildlife.
Dhami noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Namami Gange, and promotion of clean energy have transformed environmental protection into a mass movement. The state government is also working continuously, giving top priority to environmental conservation. He said that development and environment are complementary to each other.
The Chief Minister informed that the state government is conducting extensive awareness campaigns, inspections, and enforcement actions for effective implementation of the single-use plastic ban. Special drives are being carried out to make Char Dham pilgrimage routes and major tourist destinations plastic-free. Scientific management and recycling of plastic waste are also being promoted.
Dhami appealed to people to adopt cloth bags, jute, and eco-friendly products. He urged pilgrims and tourists visiting the state not to leave plastic or other waste at natural sites. He called upon industries to adopt eco-friendly packaging and modern recycling technologies, and encouraged youth to turn this campaign into a mass movement through schools, colleges, village assemblies, self-help groups, and social organizations.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the suggestions received from the state-level consultation workshop will further strengthen the effective implementation of the single-use plastic ban in Uttarakhand and play a vital role in realizing the resolve of making the state single-use plastic-free.