CM Fadnavis ranked 2nd biggest global influencer against plastic threat

Mumbai: An international software portal named Onalytica has rated Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis — whose government last week enforced a ban on plastic in the state — as the “second biggest global influencer” against the plastic menace, next only to Eric Solheim, executive director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Mr Fadnavis said, “The plastic ban is important to protect the environment. We urge citizens to contribute in our efforts. We are committed to environment-friendly development.”

The “top 10 influencers” include lawyer Afroz Shah, who has spearheaded the massive Versova Beach clean-up; and Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, who is working to create awareness about plastic pollution. Thanks to a yearlong drive helmed by Mr Shah, the Versova Beach has been cleared of 6.2 million kg of plastic. The drive, conducted in 2017, included 116 clean-up exercises involving 50,000 volunteers, many of whom were children. In a celebratory tweet, Mr Shah thanked Onalytica for discussing the issue of plastic pollution.

Onalytica has arrived at the rankings on the basis of leaders and citizens influencing the masses on the critical issue of plastic pollution through social networking sites and media.

According to the portal, only 24 per cent of all the plastic around the world gets recycled, leaving 3.8 million tonne of waste which end up in landfillswith three trillion pieces of plastic clogging the oceans. A note by Onalytica read, “This is such an important issue; we were very interested in discovering the top influencers, brands and publications discussing plastic pollution on social media.

What follows is the top 50 in each category, including a network map of the online conversations.”