The Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology is B. Eshwar Khandre. Eshwar Khandre, the environment minister has announced that in a single year 12 campaigns would be held to raise awareness on waste management in Karnataka. On July 3 Mr. Khandre joined the world environment day and forest festival programme where he stated that plastic waste, e-waste, bio medical waste and solid waste are some of the biggest challenges which need to be controlled and managed. A campaign will be carried out every month.
- January — Month of Biological and medical waste control
- February — Month of E-waste control
- March — Clean water safety awareness month
- April — Month of Plastic waste control
- May — Bio-diversity and environment awareness month
- June — Nature conservation month World Environment Day celebrations
- July — Solid waste and building waste management month
- August – Air pollution control awareness and control month
- September – Promotion of eco friendly Ganesh festivities And Control Of POP Idols
- October – Water pollution prevention month
- November -Environment-friendly Diwali, heavy metal & dangerous chemical crackers suppression month.
- December – Domestic water pollution control & maintenance month.
“More stress will be laid on particular wastes declared in each of these 12 months. These shall then undergo scientific management including their monitoring by inspections or else levying fines,” said The Minister.
This year’s theme for World Environment Day is about land rehabilitation, drought management and barren land recovery hence more familiarisation is required about the same issues. After taking charge as Environmental Minister five crore saplings were aimed at being planted by Mr Khadre to expand green cover in Karnataka but Forest Department surpassed it through planting around 5.43 crore saplings.
Also present during the function was Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who sought clarification from his colleague how many of those saplings were alive proposing if necessary an audit by a third party.
