Maharashtra Environment Department set to induct 'climate change' in its name

On World Environment Day, the Maharashtra government on Friday proposed to change the name of its environment department and induct ‘climate change’. As per the proposal, the State Environment Department will be designated as the Department of Environment and Climate Change. 

The proposal has been made by Maharashtra Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray and Minister of State (MoS) Sanjay Bansode along with the entire department. The decision on the name change will be taken soon at the state cabinet meeting. 

“As ministers, my colleague MoS Sanjay Bansode ji and I, along with the entire dept have proposed the name of the dept to be Dept of Environment and Climate Change. Our goals too increase from just regulations to active climate change mitigation (sic),” Thackeray tweeted. 

As ministers, my colleague MoS Sanjay Bansode ji and I, along with the entire dept have proposed the name of the dept to be Dept of Environment and Climate Change.
Our goals too increase from just regulations to active climate change mitigation.

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) June 5, 2020

The cabinet minister further added that the along with the addition in the department name, the government was also adding to its promise of working for nature. The government is working while keeping in mind the United Nations Environment Programme theme - ‘Time for Nature’ for World Environment Day, 2020, Thackeray said. 

The government aims to work on the five elements of nature including earth, wind, water, fire and sky. The department of Environment and Climate Change and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will deploy ₹100 crores to work on these elements of nature, Thackeray said. 

In a series of tweet, Thackeray explained that his department will work on afforestation, land degradation prevention, solid waste management, among others. Moreover, it will work towards improving air quality index and air pollution. 

The department will undertake river cleaning while also focusing on ocean fronts and marine biodiversity. It will aim to work on renewable energy and responsible energy consumption. 

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