Tuesday 5 June 2018

India pledges to clean up litter around 100 historic sites

India has pledged to clean up litter from 100 of its historic sites, including the Taj Mahal.

As host of World Environment Day, the nation aims to establish a 500-metre litter-free boundary around monuments, starting with the Yamuna River behind the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra.

It aims to make Agra, which is among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities, completely free of plastic waste.

Volunteers will pick up litter and run campaigns to reduce the use of single-use products such as bottles and bags.

Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Mahesh Sharma, said: "With our pledge today, India is sending a message to the world that we can beat plastic pollution.

"We are committed to making the peripheries of 100 historic monuments in India litter free."