AJ

Animesh JainAIR 63· 2020

Question 17GS3GS3

Plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this issue and also the government's initiatives in this regard.

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India is the largest producer of plastic waste until 3.2 mt waste generated annually Nature. Plastic pollution = environmental waste. 1) Burning of plastic and release toxic gases like Furans and Dioxins. 2) Plastic clogs and accumulate in rivers/ponds causing water pollution. 3) Affect soil fertility by affecting its alkalinity and pH value. 4) Affect biodiversity since animals like cow ingest plastic and die. 5) Plastic seeps into food chain in form of micro plastics and lead to bioaccumulation.

Mitigation measures to deal with this issue: 1) Replacing plastics with alternatives like Jute/cloth etc. 2) Use of technology like FAST PETase enzyme to degrade accumulated plastic. 3) Disposing plastic using deep well infection & burning with carbons capture and storage. 4) Removing single use plastics. 5) Recycling plastic and reusing it in areas like road construction. 6) Raising awareness among people to reduce reliance on plastic. 7) Proper collection and segregation of plastic waste for proper disposal.

Government initiatives for this: 1) Plastic waste management rule with emphasis on extended producer responsibility. 2) Phasing out of single use plastics like storing, cup etc. 3) Increasing the attributes of plastic bags to 12z missing from 75 micron cable. 4) Creating waste to wealth plants. 5) Using plastic in road construction. 6) Scheme like Swachh Bharat Mission focusing on collection and segregation. 7) Engaging on platforms like UNEP plastic treaty for global regulation - sustainable plastic management is key to achieve SDG-14 in blue water CPS deal.

— Animesh Jain · AIR 63

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Topper

Animesh Jain

AIR 632020

Subject & Paper

GS3GS3

Topic

Biodiversity and Environment

Pollutant

Plastic pollution

Writing Stats

245

Total words

1

Paragraphs

structured_bullet_points

Tone

Linked PYQ

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road construction projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. The compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20-acre farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife’s name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant.

20M2018Critically examine