Harsh Vardhan calls for 'responsible consumerism' on World Environment Day

Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday called for a culture of responsible consumerism on the occasion of World Environment Day today.

Speaking to media persons after attending a series of events at the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI: a wing of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) in Nagpur, the Minister said that air pollution in India's metropolitan cities is recognized as a major threat to the future generations.

Keeping in mind the need for effective monitoring and corrective measures, he asked CSIR-NEERI to deploy its mobile units on a nationwide scale over the next year.

A Mobile Emission Monitoring and Control Laboratory (MEMCL), which the Minister flagged off for the benefit of Nagpur today, will subsequently be taken to all the major cities of the country.

Dr Harsh Vardhan urged citizens to transform themselves as responsible consumers.

Instead of chasing 'instant' and junk foods, they should bear in mind their real needs. There should also be consciousness of public transportation and ethical purchases.

"We must join the growing world community of safety and environment conscious consumers who are aware of the cradle to grave implications of the production of whatever they buy. We must also conserve with a view to tomorrow -spare enough for the coming generations," he said.