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New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala to set up green checkposts, enforce plastic ban at hill stations from October 2
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to protect its ecologically fragile hill stations and tourist destinations, the state government is gearing up to establish green checkposts and introduce an entry fee system at panchayat or district levels to enforce the High Court's ban on plastic bottles and single-use plastics (SUPs). LSGD Minister M B Rajesh told TNIE that the government will implement the ban at any cost and that aggressive enforcement will be launched from October 2, when the ban order comes into effect. The enforcement will focus on key eco-sensitive panchayats and tourism hubs including Munnar, Kumily, Elappara, Athirapally, Nelliampathy, Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery, and Ambalavayal where destinations such as Thekkady, Vagamon, Chalakudy-Athirappill y sector, Pookode Lake, Karlad Lake, and the Wayanad Heritage Museum are located. The minister said that green checkposts will be established at major access points to screen incoming visitors and vehicles for banned plastic items. The High Court's directive prohibits the use of plastic water bottles with capacity below five litres and soft drink bottles below two litres. To support the enforcement mechanism, the government will levy an entry fee, which will be used to fund the hiring of green volunteers, deploy monitoring staff, and manage operational costs to enforce the ban order. 'The government is fully committed to enforcing the High Court order, and aggressive action will begin across the state from October 2. Ahead of the enforcement, a campaign focusing on plastic ban by the HC will be launched immediately. This will continue for three months. A meeting will be held with the stakeholders including hotels, restaurants and tourism industries,' said Minister Rajesh. In addition to enforcement, the LSG department will launch a state-wide Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to raise awareness about the ban, encourage public participation, and promote behavioral change among tourists and local communities. One of the biggest challenges in front of the government is the limited availability of alternatives to plastic products. To address this, the LSGD has roped in Kudumbashree Mission to scale up the production and supply of eco-friendly substitutes like cloth bags and biodegradable packaging. The state aims to replicate the Munnar Green Corridor across all hill destinations, combining enforcement with community engagement and sustainable alternatives. Strict implementation Focus on key eco-sensitive panchayats and tourism hubs Green checkposts at major access points to screen incoming visitors and vehicles for banned plastic items Entry fee to be used to fund hiring of green volunteers, deploy monitoring staff, and manage operational costs
New Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala: Get ready to say no to plastic from October 2
KOCHI: From October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, you'll have to sacrifice the luxury of using small plastic water bottles and food containers during gatherings for the sake of environment. The Kerala High Court on Tuesday banned the use of water bottles of capacity below five litres, soft drink bottles of capacity lower than 2 litres, straws, plates, cups, and cutlery (all made of single-use plastic) at all government functions and private gatherings. These plastic materials are also banned at all wedding auditoriums, hotels and restaurants. Prohibition of these items at functions in hotels and auditoriums shall be made a part of the licence conditions issued to such establishments, the court ordered. A Division Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P also banned the use and sale of single-use plastics in hilly tourist areas with high footfall. The areas are Munnar, Thekkady, Vagamon, Athirappilly, Chalakudy- Athirappilly sector, Nelliyampathy, Pookode Lake-Vythiri, Sultan Bathery, Karlad Lake, Ambalavayal, and Wayanad Heritage Museum. The court made it clear that the plastic ban shall not apply to 5-litre water bottles and 2-litre soft drinks bottles. Instructing the state to take adequate steps to implement the order by October 2, the court directed it to set up sufficient water kiosks at different locations in hilly tourist areas to provide clean and safe drinking water. Alternative measures should be taken for the supply or purchase of water, through glass bottles or kiosks or such other modes. Set up water dispensing machines, kiosks for sale of water: High Court Arrangements should be made by the district administration and the local self-government institutions to provide drinking water to tourists in hilly destinations with high footfall at reasonable distances. Facilities like water dispensing machines, kiosks for sale of water in steel, copper, or glass bottles can be resorted to for the purpose.
