The Kerala High Court has prohibited single-use plastics in hilly tourist areas and controlled the use of plastic bottles at major events like weddings and government functions

Effects of plastic waste

Climate and Biodiversity Connections: Plastic pollution in mountainous areas leads to soil and water pollution, impacting biodiversity and regional food networks.

Environmental Vulnerability: Hilly areas are ecologically delicate and need additional protections against pollution and deterioration.

Public Health: Build-up of plastic waste fosters mosquito reproduction, pollutes water sources, and detracts from the natural allure of tourist spots.

Issues in Waste Management in the mountainous regions

Absence of Local Waste Management Facilities: Many mountain towns and villages have no essential waste collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure.

Plastic Ban Policies: Despite tourist destinations prohibiting specific plastic items, enforcement is lax due to irregular oversight and the absence of practical alternatives for local residents and vendors.

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

Additionally, visitors frequently possess insufficient knowledge and awareness regarding sustainable practices.

Dispersed Settlements: The uneven terrain, sparse population, and varying weather patterns complicate the establishment and upkeep of efficient waste management systems in mountainous regions.

India's Initiatives in Addressing Plastic Waste

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

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: It bans the production, importation, storage, distribution, sale, and utilization of plastic carry bags with a thickness of less than 120 microns.

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

Plastic Parks: India has established Plastic Parks, designated industrial areas focused on the recycling and processing of plastic waste.

The Indian judiciary, in accordance with Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life), has taken an active role in cases involving environmental harm.

Future Directions for Mountain-Sensitive Waste Management: Policies for waste management must take ecological sensitivity, traditional practices, and geographic remoteness into account.

Decentralised Waste Systems: Community-based, low-impact waste solutions with roots in local government and traditional knowledge should be the main focus.

Sustainable Tourism Practices: Make waste audits and management procedures mandatory at tourist destinations, particularly those near waterways and pilgrimage routes.