Upcoming Ardh Kumbh to be plastic-free: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi: The Environment Ministry is planning to make next year's Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad plastic-free in line with the country's commitment to eliminate single-use plastic, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said. 

India was the global host of 2018 World Environment Day. The theme of this year's edition was "Beat Plastic Pollution". 

"We are intending to have a plastic-free (Ardh) Kumbh next January. We are starting preparations (for it)," Vardhan said. 

He acknowledged that making the Ardh Kumbh plastic-free will be an uphill task. 

"We are working on making this (Ardh) Kumbh plastic-free as it is a very tall order, but it is a part of our (government's) dream. 

We are already working towards beating plastic pollution all over the country but imagine a plastic-free Kumbh. 

It is something we are planning to do next," Vardhan said. 

Ardh Kumbh Mela, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, is held every six years.