Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5. Growing population, rapid urbanisation, shifting consumption pattern and changing lifestyles have resulted in the mismanagement of plastic waste, which is causing severe marine pollution and growing burden of marine debris. Examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
India generates 55 million tonnes of municipal waste, of which only 37 per cent is treated, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need to tackle plastic pollution by regulating its manufacturing as well as managing plastic waste.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a statistic regarding the extent of plastic pollution in India and the world.
Body:
First, mention the various sources of plastic pollution and its impact.
Next, write about the steps that have been taken to regulated the manufacture of plastic in India.
Next, enumerate policy measures and other initiative to tackle plastic waste management in India. Examine the performance the above measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to holistically tackle the issue of plastic pollution.
