Bhubaneswar: The theme set for 2018 World Environment Day (June 5) is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ for which India will organise the event through a series of activities to urge the community and individuals to join hands to explore sustainable alternatives and reduce excess use of single-use plastic polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.
Eastern Regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change and the Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) at Bhubaneswar plan to organise several events ahead of the World Environment Day to create awareness on the issue.
Officials of the ministry Friday briefed reporters about the events that are likely to be hosted at RMNH.
Scientist Gaurav, in-charge of RMNH, said, “We have decided to make the Regional Museum campus a plastic-free zone. We have launched a plastic collection drive at the museum May 2, 2018.”
The organizers also plan to organize a plastic cleaning drive around historically important monument sites of Khandagiri, Udaygiri June 2 from 7am. The regional office of RMNH and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will be part of the drive.
“We are holding summer programmes on the theme of ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ for children at the museum where daily sessions would be dedicated to plastic pollution,” said Gaurav.
“Exhibits and models would be prepared out of non-plastic or natural material and the expo would be inaugurated June 5. The important focus will be on the King Cobra structure made out of non-plastic material and a blue whale out of plastic waste,’’ the mediapersons were told.
Additional principal chief conservator of forests (Central) RK Dey said a mini marathon will be held Sunday from exhibition ground through Sachivalaya Marg, Patel Marg, Bidyut Marg culminating at Kalinga Stadium. More than 900 school students are expected to participate in the event. India is the global host of 2018 World Environment Day to combat single-use plastic pollution, he added.