CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that circular economy is an effective solution in dealing with challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Under this system, waste is recycled and reused, thereby reducing energy consumption and promoting renewable energy. He informed that the Government of Rajasthan is also taking important initiatives in this direction and is playing a leading role in this mission.
CM Bhajan Lal was addressing the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum function held at Rajasthan International Centre on Monday. He said that an Environment Management Centre has been set up in the state to make the process of waste management and recycling more effective. Further, a new policy is being formulated to encourage the use of treated water. Also, through Mukhya Mantri Sadbhavna Kendras, citizens are being facilitated for donation and reuse of unusable items.
Plan to increase waste processing capacity
CM Bhajan Lal informed that a target has been set to increase the waste processing capacity in Rajasthan from the current 21 lakh metric tonnes to 45 lakh metric tonnes. Priority is being given to compost, RDF and organic fertilizer production under waste-to-energy projects. Plastic and recyclable materials are being segregated through MRF plants in urban areas to enable proper disposal of e-waste, battery waste and hazardous waste.
Overexploitation of natural resources a matter of concern
CM Bhajan Lal said that in the last 50 years, the use of natural resources has increased by about 400 percent and this figure has reached 106 billion tons. Worryingly, more than 90 per cent of these resources are wasted, while only 8.6 per cent are returned to the global economy. Due to this, problems like climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution are constantly increasing.
Central Government’s Circular Economy Roadmap
CM Bhajan Lal said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government has taken many effective steps to promote circular economy. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the largest waste management and sanitation campaigns have been undertaken across the country. In addition, the circular economy roadmap has been prepared for 11 key sectors including municipal solid waste, electronic waste, solar panel and agricultural waste.
Green Technology and Sustainable Development Initiatives of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is also a leading state in sustainable development and adoption of green technology. It is the first state in the country to present a green budget, with an amount of Rs 27,854 crore allocated for green projects. He informed that Circular Economy Parks and Green Technology Development Centres are being set up with an investment of Rs 250 crore. The state government will soon implement the Circular Economy Incentive Scheme, under which MSMEs and startups will be provided assistance up to Rs 2 crore. Also, disposal of old vehicles will be encouraged under the Rajasthan Vehicle Scrapping Policy. The Chief Minister said that to realise the goal of a zero waste society, the Circular Economy Alliance Network would be set up, thereby strengthening collaboration between the government, private sector and educational institutions.
Leading role in India’s circular economy
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal Khattar said that India is playing an important role at the international level in the field of circular economy. The three R’s (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) are not only the need of the current economy, but also an effective means of environmental protection. He informed that under this forum, ‘Jaipur Declaration’ will be released, in which the strategy for the coming decade will be decided to promote resource efficient and low carbon economy.
He said Cities 2.0 is a unique initiative, taking concrete steps towards waste management and tackling climate change. Under this initiative, waste management plants are being set up in 18 cities of 14 states and emphasis is being laid on production of manure and energy from waste.
Quoting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Khattar said that any country can be made self-reliant only by adopting circular economy. The Central Government is playing an active role in promoting waste recycling and renewable energy through campaigns like Panchamrit Lakshya and Mission LIFE.
On this occasion, representatives from Japan, the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific region shared their views through video messages. Prior to the event, the Chief Minister visited an exhibition organised by the Union Ministry of Urban Development.
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Urban Development and Autonomous Governance, Shri Jhabar Singh Kharra, Ministers of Urban Development of Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, officials of Urban Development Departments of various States, Municipal Commissioners and Mayors were present on the occasion.