Asserting that the plastic ban in Maharashtra was getting a good response, Maharashtra minister Ramdas Kadam Wednesday said 35 lakh cloth bags would soon be brought into the market.
"Environment experts have predicted heavy rains in 2050 across the world. Since the population is increasing, cities are growing, forests are being destroyed and trees being cut, which is leading to many health problems," he said.
The environment minister said many states have emulated the Maharashtra model of a ban on single-use plastic.
"Soon, 35 lakh cotton bags will be there in the market as an alternative to plastic bags. For this, we will give Rs 5 crore to women's finance development corporation," he said.
Principal secretary of the environment department Anil Diggikar said air pollution has increased in 17 cities of the state.
"Therefore, air quality-checking devices have been set up in these cities. To prevent pollution of rivers, River Conservation Project has been taken up. Rainwater harvesting system for construction of houses and installation of chemical water treatment refinery on the industrial premises have been made mandatory," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)