Kerala High Court Bans Single-Use Plastic in Hilly Areas

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Kerala High Court has imposed a ban on single-use plastics in hilly tourist destinations and regulated the use of plastic bottles at large gatherings such as weddings and government events.
  • The court clarified that the ban does not apply to the non-woven polypropylene bags with a thickness of 60 GSM (grams per square metre) and above.

Impact of plastic waste

• Climate and Biodiversity Linkages: Plastic waste in the hilly regions contributes to soil and water contamination, affecting biodiversity and local food systems.
• Environmental Sensitivity: Hilly regions are ecologically fragile and require extra safeguards against pollution and degradation.
• Public Health: Accumulated plastic waste leads to mosquito breeding, water contamination, and affects the natural beauty of tourist destinations.

Challenges in Waste Governance in the hilly areas

• Lack of Localised Waste Infrastructure: Most mountain towns and villages lack basic waste collection, segregation, and treatment facilities.
• Plastic Ban Policies: Although the tourist destinations have banned certain plastic products, the enforcement is weak, due to inconsistent monitoring, and a lack of viable alternatives for local communities and vendors.
• Low Awareness: There is insufficient awareness among producers about their responsibilities under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). 
  • Also tourists often lack both education and sensitivity towards sustainable practices.
• Dispersed Settlements: The rugged topography, scattered population, and seasonal weather conditions make it logistically challenging to establish and maintain effective waste management systems in hilly areas. 

India’s Efforts in Tackling Plastic Waste

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): The Indian government has implemented EPR, making plastic manufacturers responsible for managing and disposing of the waste generated by their products.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022:  It prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than 120 microns.
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: It is a national cleanliness campaign, which includes the collection and disposal of plastic waste.
• Plastic Parks: India has set up Plastic Parks, which are specialized industrial zones for recycling and processing plastic waste.
• The Indian judiciary, under Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life), has proactively engaged in cases of 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.

Source: TH