Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Presence of Microplastics in Rivers, Lakes and Coastal Waters
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 99

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025

## Presence of Microplastics in Rivers, Lakes and Coastal Waters

## 99:   DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

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

- (a) whether studies have been conducted on the presence of microplastics in Indian rivers, lakes and coastal waters;
- (b) the  extent  of  microplastic  accumulation  in  aquatic  organisms  and  its  ecological  and health impact;
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  regulate  sources  such  as  single-use  plastics, synthetic textiles and cosmetic microbeads; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to establish a national framework for monitoring and  mitigating  microplastic  pollution  in  coordination  with  State  Pollution  Control Boards and scientific institutions?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)  to  (d):    Studies  undertaken  by  national  institutions  have  shown  the  presence  of microplastics in riverine and coastal zones. In order to reduce pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste, which includes microplastics, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has already prohibited identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, with effect from 1 July, 2022.  As per details provided by SPCB/PCC and details available  at  SUP  compliance  monitoring  portal,  a total  of  8,61,740 inspections have been conducted and 1985 tonnes of banned single use plastic items have been seized and a total of Rs. 19.82 crores of fine has been levied, since July, 2022.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  has  also  notified  the Guidelines  on  Extended  Producer  Responsibility  (EPR)  for  plastic  packaging  vide  Plastic Waste  Management  (Amendment)  Rules,  2022,  on  16th  February,  2022.  The  Guidelines stipulate mandatory targets on EPR, recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging  and  use  of  recycled  plastic  content. The  guidelines  provide  for  moving  towards sustainable plastic packaging and reducing the plastic foot print.  165 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste has been recycled, after the EPR Guidelines on plastic packaging have come into force in 2022.

Also,  Swachh  Bharat  Mission  provides  central  assistance  for  solid  waste  management including plastic waste management in urban and rural areas of the country. The Government of  India  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States/UTs  by  providing  financial  and  technical assistance in addressing the challenges of river pollution through schemes/programmes such as  National  River  Conservation  Plan  and  Namami  Gange  programme.  Different  pollution abatement works inter alia, include interception and diversion of raw sewage, sewerage system, and establishment of sewage treatment plants, as per scheme guidelines.

Further, vide Amendment No. 2, of Indian Standard lS 4707 (Part 2): 2017, Classification of Cosmetic Raw Materials and Adjuncts ( Fourth Revision ) notified in November 2017, under Annex A at Sr. No. 1373 it has stated that Plastic microbeads: 5 mm or less, water insoluble, solid plastic particles used to exfoliate or cleanse in rinse-off personal care products are not recognized as safe for use in Cosmetics. The raw materials specified in Annex A of the Indian Standard IS: 4707 Part 2, as amended from time to time, shall not be added in cosmetic product, as per the Cosmetics Rules issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, celebrated World Environment Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 5 th June 2025, with the slogan 'One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution'. As part of one month long pre-campaign activities undertaken before World Environment Day 2025, around 69,000 events were organized in which around 21  lakh  people  participated  across  the  country.  The  National  Plastic  Pollution  Reduction Campaign (NPPRC) was also launched  for the  period  5th  June  to  31st  October  2025. The Campaign  included  activities  to  reduce  plastic  pollution  in  urban  and  rural  areas  under Swachhta Hi Sewa programme. The activities also included focus on reducing use of avoidable single use plastics in government offices especially during Special Campaign 5.0.

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