India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative

Context: The India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative (INMPI) has helped Agra improve waste circularity and reduce plastic leakage into the Yamuna River, with successful interventions in managing petha and footwear waste.

About India–Norway Marine Pollution Initiative (INMPI):

• What it is? A bilateral collaboration between the Government of India and Government of Norway to address marine litter, especially microplastics (MPs) and macroplastics from land-based sources.

• A bilateral collaboration between the Government of India and Government of Norway to address marine litter, especially microplastics (MPs) and macroplastics from land-based sources.

• Launched In: 2019, under the India–Norway Ocean Dialogue.

• Reduce plastic and microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Support circular economy in waste management. Promote policy reform, local action, and scientific research. Assist municipalities in evidence-based plastic leakage reduction.

• Reduce plastic and microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

• Support circular economy in waste management.

• Promote policy reform, local action, and scientific research.

• Assist municipalities in evidence-based plastic leakage reduction.

• Key Features:

• Technical support to Indian cities by leading environmental organisations (e.g., Centre for Science and Environment – CSE). Pilot projects in riverine cities like Agra. Studies on pre-consumer industrial waste, plastic drainage leakage, and microplastic load. Use of brand audits, polymer categorisation, and scientific sampling for policy impact.

• Technical support to Indian cities by leading environmental organisations (e.g., Centre for Science and Environment – CSE).

• Pilot projects in riverine cities like Agra.

• Studies on pre-consumer industrial waste, plastic drainage leakage, and microplastic load.

• Use of brand audits, polymer categorisation, and scientific sampling for policy impact.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus:

• GS Paper 2:

• International Relations – Bilateral cooperation between India and Norway. Governance and Public Policy – Waste policy reforms and intergovernmental collaboration.

• International Relations – Bilateral cooperation between India and Norway.

• Governance and Public Policy – Waste policy reforms and intergovernmental collaboration.

• GS Paper 3:

• Environmental Conservation – Plastic waste management, microplastics, and river ecosystem protection. Waste Management & Pollution – Sustainable urban solutions and scientific study methods. Science and Tech – Use of sampling techniques, polymer tracking, and data-driven decisions.

• Environmental Conservation – Plastic waste management, microplastics, and river ecosystem protection.

• Waste Management & Pollution – Sustainable urban solutions and scientific study methods.

• Science and Tech – Use of sampling techniques, polymer tracking, and data-driven decisions.

• Essay & Ethics:

• Themes of sustainable development, inter-generational equity, and responsible governance.