In a pioneering move aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has suggested that the state government enforce a mandate requiring tourists to carry large garbage bags. This initiative seeks to ensure that visitors contribute to cleaning up their waste during their stay in the picturesque state.
Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sushil Kukreja, presiding over the matter, drew inspiration from similar measures implemented in Goa and Sikkim. The bench highlighted Sikkim’s policy wherein it is compulsory for all tourist vehicles entering the state to have a large garbage bag. This rule places the onus on tour operators, travel agencies, and vehicle drivers to inform tourists about the proper disposal of their waste.
This recommendation arose during hearings on a batch of petitions concerning environmental issues in Himachal Pradesh. The court also proposed that the government consider levying solid waste management charges on tourists as part of broader efforts to maintain ecological balance.
The court outlined several directives aimed at enhancing waste management practices in the state:
- Tourists and trekkers should undergo audits for the waste they carry, with corresponding user fees aiding waste management and environmental conservation.
- The establishment of small dry waste storage facilities at checkpoints to hold waste temporarily until it can be moved to central waste management facilities.
- The formation of committees consisting of representatives from local panchayats, the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), the Ecotourism Society, and NGOs to oversee waste management, restoration, and rescue operations.
- Transparent management and utilization of user fees collected at checkpoints for environmental conservation activities.
Also Read
Additionally, the court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to organize training programs for panchayats and urban local bodies on waste segregation and recovery, in collaboration with relevant NGOs.
