The more things change, the more they stay the same. The saying holds true in the case of plastic pollution for Supriya Sahu, an IAS officer. As a collector in early 2000, she successfully led a campaign for plastic-free Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. Today, more than two decades later, she is again leading the charge against plastic pollution in the entire state. In an interview with Rajiv Tikoo, she talks about what motivated her then, particularly in the absence of laws, and what keeps her going today with the help of technological innovations that can serve as examples for adoption by other states. Edited excerpts:
When you, as a collector, successfully led a campaign for plastic-free Nilgiris in early 2000, you were probably ahead of the times. What was the trigger?
Disturbing visuals of the post-mortem of cattle and elephants, establishing the bitter fact that animals were feeding on plastic, were the prime triggers for the campaign. With water bodies being choked with plastic, the situation was such that I could almost visualise a scenario of death by plastic, and it hit me very hard. It got me thinking about the future of our beautiful district and we decided to act on it.
We were indeed ahead of the times. We neither had any plastic ban notifications, nor any guidelines for reference. We realised that to do something we had to bring together local communities, especially Panchayats and municipalities. Back then it was easier to convince Gram Sabhas as well as municipalities to pass resolutions to ban plastics.
What were the major issues then and how did you address these?
The major threats were plastic bags, plates and disposable cups and we targeted these three items specifically, and then figured out solutions for an alternatives for the banned plastic items.
Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Outlook Business.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Outlook Business.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
DEMAND DRAFT
A new government, a new beginning. However, for industry leaders, it is a time of uncertainty as they wait and watch what policies the new dispensation will enact.
REBEL'S GUIDE TO SUCCESS WITH FOOD
Having started its journey in 2004 as a quickservice restaurant under the brand name Faasos, Rebel Foods, now a unicorn, aims to expand its footprint. Jaydeep Barman, co-founder of Rebel Foods, talks to Vinita Bhatia about the company’s growth plans, focusing on Tier-II and -III cities, licensing as a strategy and more. Edited excerpts:
NATURE BECKONS
When not busy at work, Naivedya Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of manufacturing start-up Runaya, indulges in activities that keep him close to nature, like wildlife photography, safaris, flying and holidays at beaches and the hills
Combining Minimalism and Material Responsibility for Timeless Furniture Pieces
Leading Furniture Industry with Inspiring Innovation, Sustainability, Customization, and Collaboration. EK Designs creates designs with honesty and transparency upholding the strict quality norms.
Participation Over Dictation Leads to Excellence: Girish Avansta
Accellor's innovative Al-backed designs are a result of the whole-hearted participation of every employee
Leading the Charge in Digital Transformation by Pioneering the Future of Enterprise Automation
Areteans is Revolutionizing Business Automation and AI Integration
Recognizing MSME Excellence and Charting the Future: Insights from Outlook Business Spotlight Awards 2024
MSMEs are the \"unsung heroes who keep our industries humming and our dreams soaring.
"Sustainability is an Essential Component of Lubrizol's Corporate DNA"
Bhavana Bindra, Lubrizol's dynamic Managing Director, shares her views on sustainable growth and Lubrizol's impact in India.
Modernizing Mobility: India's Need For A Smarter And Sustainable Passenger Transportation Solution
India is at the forefront of a transformative wave of urbanisation. To combat climate change and urban pollution, upgrading infrastructure and embracing sustainable mobility, particularly in efficient mass transportation systems is an imperative.
Bank Imbalance
As investors turn to more lucrative options, banks in India are seeing sluggish growth in deposits. With a limited arsenal to compete with high returns available elsewhere, they are struggling to balance deposits with the amount of loans they are handing out