AP to ban plastic flexis, Jagan announces plastic recycling plant in Vizag
A massive beach cleanup drive was taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Government in association with Parley for Oceans, a member of Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet (GASP) in Visakhapatnam with the participation of over 20,000 volunteers at 40 locations over a 28-km stretch from RK Beach to 17th century Dutch township Bheemunipatnam on Friday.
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam A massive beach cleanup drive was taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Government in association with Parley for Oceans, a member of Global Alliance for Sustainable Planet (GASP) in Visakhapatnam with the participation of over 20,000 volunteers at 40 locations over a 28-km stretch from RK Beach to 17th century Dutch township Bheemunipatnam on Friday.
A record of sorts was created by removing 76 tonnes of garbage with the announcement by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy after signing an MoU with Parley for Oceans to wage a war against the use of single use plastic material. Reddy declared the establishment of a plastic recycling plant in Visakhapatnam and a ban on plastic flexis with immediate effect asking everyone to use flexis made with cloth despite the cost factor.
The government declared Friday's cleanup drive a world record. In his address, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh will make sincere efforts to stop the use of single use plastic completely by 2027.
At present, 9% of 150 million tonne single use plastic is being recycled. Eric Solheim, GASP Chairman and the State Government signed an MoU to campaign against plastic use and take steps collectively to safeguard the oceans and the beachfront.
Reddy said ocean plants provide 70% of the oxygen the human beings inhale and underlined the need to protect the ocean marine species. He said the State Government is committed to ensure sustainable and inclusive development by initiating several measures to safeguard the ecological balance.
At a separate function, the Chief Minister distributed certificates issued by MIcrosoft to 5,000 students who successfully completed various courses to improve their employment quotient. He said for the first time, 35,980 students were imparted Microsoft training in soft skills in Andhra Pradesh.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister A. Suresh, Industries and Commerce Minister Gudivada Amarnath, Mayor G. Hari Venkata Kumari, District Collector A. Mallikarjuna and Municipal Commissioner G. Lakshmisha, were among those present.
