Lok Sabha Question No. 2827 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-03
Subject: Plastic Free Zones
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: R. GOPALAKRISHNAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2827

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2018

## Plastic Free Zones

## 2827. SHRI R. GOPALAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently declared all the protected areas as 'Plastic Free Zones' in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the zones declared, State-wise;
- (c) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to make these zones as 'plastic free zones' in reality;
- (d) whether the Government is also considering any rehabilitation or alternative source of income  generating  businesses/  trades  for  the  people  who  involved  in  these  plastic related industries/trade in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) to (c) The Ministry issued advisory in June, 2017 to all Chief Wildlife Wardens and Principal  Secretaries  (Forests)  of  States/UTs  to  celebrate  1 st -  15 th June  of  every  year  as Swacchta  Pakhwada  for  safeguarding  the  environment  and  to  maintain  sanitation  and cleanliness  in  and  around  all  Protected  Areas  (National  Parks  and  Wildlife  Sanctuaries). Along  with  the  measures  such  as  cleanliness  drive,  sanitization,  awareness  generation campaign taking green pledge by local people, it was directed to prohibit the usage of plastic and polythene bags inside all protected areas and all protected areas to be made plastic free zone by 31 st May, 2018.

Moreover  India  was  the  global  host  for  'World  Environment  Day  -  WED  2018' celebrated on 5 th June, 2018. During this celebration, the Ministry launched pan-India plastic clean-up drive in public areas, national parks, forests reserves, beaches, rivers etc..

(d) and (e) The Central Government has notified Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. As  per  the  Rules,  the  generators  of  waste  have  been  mandated  to  take  steps  to  minimize generation of plastic waste, not to litter the plastic waste, ensure segregated storage of waste at source and handover segregated waste to local bodies or agencies authorised by the local bodies. The rules mandate the producers, importers and brand owners to work out modalities for  waste  collection  system  based  on  the  principle  of  Extended  Producer  Responsibility.

CPCB has also issued guidelines for utilization of plastic waste in road construction, cement kilns and usage as liquid RDF (oil). Further, the local bodies have been mandated to engage civil societies and waste picker for segregation, collection and overall management of plastic waste. As per the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, the local authorities and /gram Panchayats shall establish a system to recognise organisation of waste pickers or informal waste collector and Self Help Groups for management of waste.

*****