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Bengaluru, Nov 19 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said Bengaluru is often criticized as a garbage city, but the government aims to transform it into a plastic and garbage-free city.
Siddaramaiah highlighted that 900 tonnes of plastic is produced annually in Bengaluru alone, and warned that if citizens fail to understand the issue, it will not be possible to make the city plastic free.
“With public awareness and government support, Bengaluru can become a plastic-free city by 2030,” he said while inaugurating the Golden Jubilee Celebrations (2025) of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on completion of 50 years of the board’s establishment.
He said that according to the central government data, 131 cities in India exceed the safe pollution level.
“Bengaluru, Hubli-Dharwad, Davanagere and Kalaburagi cities are the most polluted in Karnataka. This is worrying and some parts of Bengaluru will become unliveable in the coming years. Citizens should develop love for the environment,” he said.
Siddaramaiah also appealed that citizens are urged to segregate wet and dry waste, while industries should manage their waste responsibly to avoid harming society and the environment.
Siddaramaiah further announced that the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has set up an endowment fund of Rs 1 crore.
“The interest earned from this fund will be used annually to organize environmental programs and Padmashree in the name of renowned environmentalist Late Salumarada Thimmakka will be awarded to at least five environmentalists every year,” he said.
Siddaramaiah said that Wednesday is the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“On this day in 1974, the KSPCB was established. Indira Gandhi introduced several major laws to protect the environment and forests,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that according to the report of the Central Government, many cities of India are highly polluted. Bengaluru, Davangere and Kalaburagi are included in this list, which is a matter of concern.
KSPCB Chairman P. Narendraswamy said, the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Pollution Control Board connect with the people of the state.
He said that in 1972, the world environment was discussed in the Stockholm Conference under the United Nations, as a result of which the Board was established here.
“Now, 50 years later, the Board has completed half a century. It is the fulfillment of Indira Gandhi’s vision, and that is why we are organizing this event.”
–IANS
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