Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated an event organised on the occasion of World Environment Day 2018 in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The event was organised by the Indian Institute and Ecology and Environment and other associates. This year’s World Environment Day theme is “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that celebration of World Environment Day is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the cause of protection of environment. “There is still a lot that we need to do to protect our environment,” he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that this year’s theme — Beat Plastic Pollution — was very important keeping in mind the use of plastic these days.
He said that the citizens need to be educated about the harmful effects of the use of plastic on marine life, human health and environment.
“The plastic pollution can be beaten only when awareness is generated at a mass level,” he said.
Speaking about the Swachhata Campaign launched by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said this has now become a mass campaign.
Singh said that special emphasis has been laid on constructing toilets for girls and within one year, 4-lakh such toilets were built.
“In 4 years of Central government, about 7.5 crore toilets have been constructed,” the Minister further said.
He said that the government has taken various other initiatives to spread awareness among the masses to keep the environment clean.
The Minister added that the mindset needs to be changed to achieve the target of clean environment.