A win for the Dhauladhars
Environmental groups from across Kangra valley, who have long been battling the growing ecological degradation in the Dhauladhar hills, have hailed the state government’s recent decision to ban the use of PET plastic bottles (up to 500 ml) from June 1. The move, they say, marks a significant step towards preserving the fragile mountain ecosystem.
Activists emphasised that plastic bottles and wrappers are among the most common forms of non-biodegradable litter found across the state, particularly in popular tourist destinations. They expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for what they described as a bold and visionary initiative. Notably, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to exercise its powers under sub-section (1) of Section 3-A of the HP Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995, to impose such a ban.
Speaking at a press conference, KB Ralhan and Subhash Sharma, convener and co-convener of the NGO “People’s Voice,” said the widespread use of PET bottles had turned into a major environmental hazard. They pointed out that in previous years, local rivers, khuds and water channels had been choked with plastic waste—often only cleared after the tourist season by NGOs. Meanwhile, they claimed, civic bodies, forest departments and local authorities remained largely indifferent to the crisis.
The activists also welcomed the state government’s imposition of strict fines to deter littering and non-compliance. They particularly lauded the Rs 10,000 penalty for vehicles entering the state without in-built garbage bins and the Rs 1,500 fine for general littering, saying such enforcement measures would discourage careless disposal of waste.
According to a senior state official, the new provisions empower officers from various departments to enforce the plastic ban and issue penalties for violations. In a further push for better waste management, the government has mandated the installation of “car bins” in all transport vehicles—public and private—including HRTC buses.
