India, May 25 -- Haryana environment minister Rao Narbir Singh on Saturday announced the launch of a three-month long pilot project aimed at eliminating polythene and single-use plastic from the city, in a step towards making it more environmentally sustainable. Chairing a meeting of officials from various departments, Singh urged strict enforcement and active participation of citizens to make the initiative a success. The meeting was attended by officers from the Municipal Corporations of Gurugram and Manesar, the Haryana Pollution Control Board, the Urban Local Bodies Department, the district administration and police. Under the pilot project, the use of polythene bags, plastic cups, plates, spoons, straws, and other single-use plastic items will be completely banned. Singh reminded officials that the production and sale of polythene have been officially prohibited in Haryana since 2013. "Authorities must identify warehouses and manufacturing units involved in illegal plastic trade and initiate action against them," he said. To achieve the campaign's objectives, the minister urged the use of all available resources across departments. Awareness campaigns will be conducted in schools, colleges, residential colonies, marketplaces, and industrial zones. Special efforts will be made to involve RWAs, youth groups, and voluntary organisations in promoting alternatives such as cloth bags. "The campaign must become a people's movement," Singh said. "The administration must ensure citizens, shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, and students - turn into active participants." He said it is time for the city to also lead in environmental responsibility. "Plastic pollution not only harms the environment but also endangers human health. This is not just a government initiative, but a collective duty of every citizen," he said....