Patna: The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Bihar, organised a state-level seminar titled “Ending Plastic Pollution: The Road Ahead” on June 13, 2025, at Hotel Maurya, Patna. The event was chaired by Harjot Kaur Bamhra, Additional Chief Secretary of the department, and saw the participation of Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, as the chief guest. Senior officials from the central ministry, including the Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary, also attended as special guests.
Prabhat Kumar Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Bihar, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, calling the management of single-use plastics a daunting challenge that requires active public involvement.
D.K. Shukla, Chairman of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board, elaborated on the objectives of the seminar and underscored the environmental hazards posed by plastic pollution. He emphasised the importance of holding users accountable for the responsible management of single-use plastic.
Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary at the central environment ministry, highlighted the health risks associated with plastic waste and explained that the government has already banned plastic products with viable alternatives. He called for continuous collaborative efforts across states to strengthen plastic collection systems.
In her inaugural address, Harjot Kaur Bamhra expressed serious concern over the environmental impact of single-use plastic. She outlined the Bihar government’s actions, including bans on specific products, and stressed the need to eliminate non-essential, non-biodegradable plastic from daily use. She noted that Bihar is actively cooperating with national authorities on plastic management and enforcement.
Chief guest Tanmay Kumar spoke about national-level campaigns against single-use plastics and called for joint responsibility among citizens, municipalities and state governments. He suggested that Bihar could consider introducing a plastic exchange initiative, offering coupons or cash incentives, similar to a programme launched in Goa. Tanmay also lauded the state’s public awareness drive through schools and highlighted the plantation of 4.42 crore saplings under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign—exceeding the original target by 42 lakh.
The technical session featured key presentations: the Urban Development and Housing Department of Bihar outlined strategies for plastic waste management in urban local bodies; the Bihar State Pollution Control Board presented on legal frameworks for plastic elimination; and the Patna Municipal Corporation shared its methods, challenges and progress in managing plastic waste in the city.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by S. Chandrashekhar, Chief Forest Conservator-cum-State Nodal Officer for Environment and Climate Change.
Also in attendance were Vijay Prakash Meena from the Urban Development and Housing Department, senior officials from the environment department’s headquarters, and regional-level officers including Regional Chief Forest Conservators, Forest Conservators, Division Officers and Area Officers.
