Manimahesh Yatra route declared plastic-controlled zone

To promote cleanliness and protect the environment during the upcoming Manimahesh Yatra, Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Thursday declared the pilgrimage route from Bharmour to Dal Lake a plastic-controlled zone till August 31.

The objective behind the initiative is to make the yatra route eco-friendly and free of plastic waste. In a statement, the Deputy Commissioner said the district administration has entered into a tripartite agreement with Rapidue Technologies (Recykal) and Healing Himalayas Foundation on July 18.

Under the agreement and in accordance with the Himachal Pradesh Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995, all commercial establishments, small vendors and unorganised units operating along the yatra route will be mandated to sell PET bottles, multi-layered plastic (MLP) and tetra pack food items only with a QR-coded deposit value printed on the packs.

The initiative includes a Deposit Refund System (DRS). Wholesale dealers, distributors, shopkeepers, hotels, homestay owners and restaurants will be provided with the required QR codes by Recykal and Healing Himalayas Foundation. Any commercial entity found selling PET bottles, MLP or tetra packs without a QR code during the yatra period will be subject to strict legal action.

To facilitate pilgrims, deposit refund counters will be set up along the Bharmour–Dal Lake route. The pilgrims will be able to return empty bottles or wrappers bearing QR codes and receive a refund of the deposit amount, thereby promoting responsible consumption and waste disposal.

Each year, lakhs of pilgrims undertake the arduous journey through the Himalayas to seek blessings at Manimahesh Lake, nestled at an altitude of nearly 13,500 feet in Bharmour subdivision.

However, the growing influx of visitors has led to a sharp rise in plastic and other non-biodegradable waste along the route, threatening the fragile ecosystem of the region. From discarded PET bottles and food wrappers to polythene bags and leftover food, the accumulation of trash has become a pressing environmental issue. This year, the Yatra is being held from August 16 to 31.

The Bharmour administration had also launched a mega cleanliness drive on July 15 to collect legacy waste on the yatra route.