By Abbas Nazil
India is taking centre stage in global environmental action as the world gears up to observe World Environment Day on June 5, 2025.
The theme for this year, “Beat Plastic Pollution,” highlights the urgent need to address the escalating crisis of plastic waste that continues to pollute oceans, congest landfills, and infiltrate the food chain.
The international campaign calls on governments, businesses, and individuals to actively reduce plastic use and adopt sustainable alternatives.
In alignment with this global push, India has launched a major national initiative, “One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution,” spearheaded by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
The campaign, which began on May 23, underlines India’s commitment to sustainability and is closely linked with the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, in a campaign video, urged citizens to go beyond awareness and take collective action toward sustainable living.
Complementing the central government’s drive, several state and local bodies have rolled out creative and far-reaching campaigns.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released a powerful short film titled Pyaasa, starring Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, as part of its “Tik Tik Plastic” initiative.
Posted on social media platform X, the film delivers a strong message urging citizens to reduce plastic usage and take responsibility for preserving the planet.
Railways have joined the effort, with East Coast Railway (ECoR) launching a “Plastic Free Stations” campaign from May 22 to June 5.
This drive promotes cleaner trains and station premises, demonstrating Indian Railways’ focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
In Gujarat, environmentalist Viral Desai, popularly known as the “Greenman,” is leading a 7-day tree plantation campaign starting June 5 in Surat and Navsari.
The campaign aims to plant 1,000 trees and highlights Desai’s ongoing commitment to urban greening, climate resilience, and ecological awareness.
Uttar Pradesh has mobilised its education system to create widespread environmental awareness among students and communities. All 75 districts have been instructed to hold student-led activities under the theme “End Plastic Globally.”
A grand event at the Regional Science Centre in Lucknow will feature a 100-foot art installation made from recycled materials, workshops, and street plays.
Around 5,000 students from 30 schools will participate. Additionally, 22,000 government schools will organise local events.
NSS volunteers will distribute 50,000 cloth bags in markets, while 147 NGOs will conduct cleanup drives near major water bodies. Environmental experts from Lucknow University will host interactive workshops to educate students about the long degradation cycle of plastic.
The state horticulture department has reserved 25,000 saplings for plantation drives, with mechanisms in place to monitor their survival over six months.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) has integrated environmental consciousness with physical fitness.
Various activities under the ‘Fit India Movement’ include cyclothons and cycling events like “Sundays on Cycle” to promote eco-friendly transport options across the Union Territory.
India’s diverse and large-scale initiatives exemplify a robust and united front in the global fight against plastic pollution, setting a strong precedent for other nations to follow.