Plastic emerging as enemy of human civilisation: Health Minister

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet, has said plastic products have started appearing as an enemy of the entire human civilization.

While inaugurating a regional workshop on "Solutions to Plastic Pollution' organized by the Diploma Engineers Association Nepal (DEAN) on the occasion of its 43rd establishment and World Environment Day, 2023 here today, the Minister highlighted the urgent need of seeking ways to minimize plastic use and pollution caused by it.

He took time to say that the government policies, strategies, and action plans aiming to minimize plastic use were in place since the past, pledging additional actions from the government level to discourage the plastic use and make people well aware of consequences of plastic pollution.

Minister Basnet said, 'Collaborative actions are necessary to implement people's right to free basic healthcare services.'

Bagmati Province member Dr. Dineshchandra Devkota said it was urgent for Nepal to think about probable ways for coping with plastic pollutions and implementing them. Meanwhile, a programme was held in Lalitpur today, observing June 5, the World Environment Day.

The program included a public awareness session, tree plantation and clean up of public areas. On the occasion, Lalitpur metropolis mayor Chiribabu Maharjan said, 'It is urgent to keep nature free from plastic and protect the ecology.'

He said the use of cloth bags should be promoted to replace plastic bags. Division Forest Office, Lalitpur's information officer Thir Prasad Koirala said tree saplings were planted on the pavement from Gwarko to Lamatar on the initiation of the local government, marking the World Environment Day, today.

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