Plastic Pollution

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to tackle the issue of plastic pollution and achieve the universal goal of clean water bodies through ‘ Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ and ‘Tide Turners Plastic Challenge programme’.

Objectives

• To synergise and collate efforts towards engaging youth for promoting clean water bodies.
• To engage in capacity building and awareness on environmental sustainability through information sharing and training initiatives.
• Promote opportunities for NCC cadets to participate in appropriate national and international platforms related to environment and climate change.

‘Puneet Sagar’ Campaign

• Puneet Sagar is a nationwide campaign to free seashores/beaches from plastic & other waste materials and increase awareness about the importance of keeping these clean.
• Aim: To propagate the message of ‘Importance of Clean Seashores/Beaches’ amongst the local population and future generation.
• Under the campaign, cadets will generate awareness about the conservation and impact of plastic pollution along the sea beaches through nukkad nataks, poetry recitation, signature campaigns, pamphlet distribution amongst others.
• It is a nationwide campaign to clean sea shores of plastic and other waste material and to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness
• It was started initially for one month and was subsequently extended as a pan-India round-the-year campaign
• It covers rivers and other water bodies as well.

National Cadet Corps (NCC)

• The NCC was formed in 1948 on the recommendation of H. N. Kunzru Committee [1946]. NCC is the world’s largest uniformed youth volunteer service organization.
• The NCC cadets undergo basic military training at various levels and as well as academic curriculum basics related to the Armed forces and their functioning.
• Nodal Ministry: The NCC falls under the purview of the Ministry of Defence and is headed by a Director-General of three-star military rank.
• The emblem of the NCC consists of 3 colours; red, dark blue and light blue representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The 17 lotuses indicate the 17 directories of India.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 

• It is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
• Objective: To provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
• Major Reports: Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.
• Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life.
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.