The High Court of Kerala has prohibited single-use plastics in mountainous tourist locations and controlled the use of plastic bottles

Effects of plastic waste

Connections between Climate and Biodiversity: In hilly areas, plastic pollution leads to soil and water degradation, impacting biodiversity and local agricultural systems.

Ecological Sensitivity: Hilly areas are environmentally delicate and need additional protections from pollution and deterioration.

Public Health: Build-up of plastic waste results in mosquito reproduction, water pollution, and impacts the aesthetic appeal of tourist hotspots.

Issues in Waste Management in mountainous regions

Insufficient Local Waste Infrastructure: Many mountain communities and villages do not have essential waste collection, sorting, and processing facilities.

Plastic Ban Policies: Despite tourist locations prohibiting specific plastic items, enforcement remains weak because of irregular oversight and the absence of viable alternatives for local populations and vendors.

Limited Awareness: Producers lack adequate understanding of their obligations under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Tourists frequently demonstrate a deficiency in both education and awareness regarding sustainable practices.

Dispersed Communities: The rough landscape, sparse inhabitants, and fluctuating climate create significant logistical difficulties in creating and sustaining efficient waste management systems in mountainous regions.

India’s Initiatives in Addressing Plastic Waste

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The Indian government has enacted EPR, assigning plastic producers the duty of handling and disposing of the waste created by their items.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: It bans the production, import, storage, distribution, sale, and usage of plastic carry bags that are less than 120 microns thick.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: This is a nationwide cleanliness initiative that encompasses the gathering and disposal of plastic waste.

Plastic Parks: India has established Plastic Parks, dedicated industrial areas for the recycling and processing of plastic waste.

The Indian judiciary, pursuant to Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life), has actively involved itself in matters concerning environmental degradation.

Way Ahead

Mountain-Sensitive Waste Policies: Waste management policies that consider geographic remoteness, traditional practices, and ecological sensitivity are essential.

Decentralised Waste Systems: Focus should be on community-based, low-impact waste solutions rooted in traditional knowledge and local governance.

Sustainable Tourism Practices: Establish mandatory waste audits and management protocols at tourist sites, especially around water bodies and pilgrimage circuits.