Tourists entering Himachal should carry large garbage bags, suggests HC

Digital Desk: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has proposed a significant measure to address the growing environmental concerns in the state: requiring tourists to carry a garbage bag during their visit. This suggestion aims to bolster sustainability efforts and enhance waste management in popular tourist destinations.

In a directive issued on July 19, a bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Sushil Kukreja urged the state government to implement this measure, taking inspiration from successful practices in other states like Goa and Sikkim. "To promote sustainability in all tourist destinations and ensure community participation, the State should adopt measures similar to those of the Government of Sikkim, where all tourist vehicles are mandated to carry a large garbage bag," the bench stated.

This initiative comes as part of a broader set of recommendations from the court to tackle environmental issues in Himachal Pradesh. The court's order follows a series of petitions highlighting concerns about waste management amid rising tourist activity.

The court's suggestions include several key actions:

Waste Audits and User Fees: Conduct audits of waste carried by trekkers and introduce user fees to support waste management and environmental conservation efforts.

  

Dry Waste Storage Facilities: Set up small storage units at checkpoints to temporarily hold collected waste before it is transported to central facilities.

  

Formation of Oversight Committees: Create committees with representatives from local panchayats, the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), the Ecotourism Society, and NGOs to oversee waste management, restoration, and rescue operations.

  

Transparent Fee Management: Ensure that user fees collected at checkpoints are transparently managed and used exclusively for waste management and environmental conservation.

Additionally, the court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to organize training programs for panchayats and urban local bodies on waste segregation and material recovery, with the support of relevant NGOs.