BCCI unites with United Nations to spread awareness of environmental conservation

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and Erik Solheim, Executive Director of UN Environment has signed an LOI before the IPL final on Sunday.

The BCCI begin raising awareness of plastic pollution | Getty Images

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has signed an agreement with the United Nations (UN) Environment to promote ‘green’ cricket in India to spread awareness about the environmental conservation in the country.

On Sunday (27 May), Acting BCCI Secretary Amitabh Choudhary and Executive Director of UN Environment Erik Solheim signed a letter of intent at the BCCI headquarters (Cricket Centre) before the VIVO IPL 2018 final between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mumbai.

As per reports in Press Trust of India, the BCCI in a statement, “The partnership aims to spread greater awareness about key environmental challenges facing the country, and highlight alternate and more sustainable solutions. The BCCI will endeavor to reduce its environmental impact by greening operations and engaging cricketers and fans in green initiatives.”

While Mr. Choudhary said on the initiative, “The Board is happy to announce its partnership with UN Environment. This is a major step in spreading the message of environmental conservation. We will help make cricket green and sensitize spectators towards minimizing waste generation during matches.”

Meanwhile, Erik Solheim said, “The environment and sports are more closely connected than people think. If we don't have a healthy environment, then sports will not thrive. I am delighted that UN Environment is partnering with the BCCI to use the power of cricket to inspire action for a cleaner environment.”

With the latest development, BCCI and UN will also focus on phasing out single-use plastic in all stadiums across the country. Even the Indian Cricket Board has already begun raising awareness on this issue during the IPL 2018, as the captains of all franchises shared messages through a film aired in stadiums to create awareness about hazards of plastic pollution.

BCCI statement further reads, “A plastic audit is being undertaken there to assess the types and volumes of single-use plastic generated and chart a course to implement waste management system.”

At the Holkar Stadium, a Green Protocol based on the concept of 3Rs – to reduce, reuse and recycle was implemented throughout all four IPL 2018 matches, as well as, the plastic cups and bottles replaced with environment-friendly options for fans at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru.

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 28 May, 2018

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