It’s the era of the conscious traveller. Indians, especially in the post-pandemic world, have become more responsible and more aware of the well-being of the environment. They are cutting down on their carbon footprints when they explore a new destination. They are choosing eco-friendly properties to stay in. They are also discovering eco-tourism destinations. If you too are a mindful traveller, on this World Environment Day, we’d like to share with you a list of plastic-free tourist destinations in India. By Karan Kaushik
Plastic-free tourist places in India
Sikkim
View this post on Instagram
The spectacular state was the first in India to ban plastic bags and target single-use plastic bottles in 1998. Sikkim also banned packaged mineral water bottles in January 2022. In 2016, the Himalayan state banned thermocol and styrofoam disposable plates and cutlery. Lachen, one of the most popular places in Sikkim became plastic-free in 2012. On your way to the quaint hamlet, you’d come across a check post where you are required to dispose of your plastic bottles. You can buy reusable plastic bottles for the rest of your trip. The authorities may even check your vehicle for single-use plastic bottles. The state has replaced these plastic bottles with eco-friendly bamboo bottles, which also make for nice souvenirs.
Kannur
View this post on Instagram
Kerala has also been spearheading the war against plastic for some time now. The state has decided to make nine tourist destinations plastic-free. Kannur is also a plastic-free district. There’s a ban on plastic carry bags and plastic disposable cutlery. The district received the status of Plastic Free Zone in 2015 after a five-month-long campaign supported by the locals. The credit for this goes to the Haritha Keralam initiative of the Kannur district administration and district panchayats.
Ooty
View this post on Instagram
The story of Ooty becoming a plastic-free hill station is pure textbook material. Thanks to the sincere efforts of the former collector of the Nilgiris Supriya Sahu, Ooty is today completely plastic-free. Sahu began raising awareness against the use of plastic as early as 2002. She started a campaign called Operation Blue Mountain and requested locals to avoid the use of plastic. In 2019, the Nilgiri District Administration implemented a ban on the sale of single-use plastic items like water bottles and cold drinks along the highways that lead to Ooty and other important towns in the Nilgiri district.
Kalga
View this post on Instagram
The quaint little hilly hamlet of Kalga in Himachal Pradesh’s Parvati valley is also a plastic-free zone. It’s one of those rare (and thankfully so) places, where your hosts at the homestay won’t hesitate in asking you to clean your litter. They may even reward you if you join them for a cleanliness drive around the village. In Kalga, you’ll come across posters asking tourists to avoid littering. The villagers in Kalga love the peaceful and serene environment they live in. They collect all the plastic trash left behind by tourists and send it for recycling.
Majuli Island
View this post on Instagram
Nestled on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in Assam, Majuli is the largest river island in the world. The island has been grappling with the threats of erosion for years now. It is continually eroded by the moving waters of the Brahmaputra. To save the environment of this magical place, the district administration has banned the sale, use, and purchase of plastic bags. Blessed with a vibrant culture and sylvan environs, Majuli is a prominent tourism hotspot in Assam. This was also a reason why the authorities decided to ban plastic.
Dzukou Valley
View this post on Instagram
Known for its majestic landscape that features deep green rolling hills, Nagaland’s Dzukou Valley was declared a plastic-free zone in 2019. This was made possible by the commendable efforts of the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), as a part of its pledge to protect the environment. The sleepy valley is one of Northeast India’s best-kept secrets. Relatively less explored with a landscape that enthralls, it is a paradise that can make even the most discerning trekker an ardent fan.
Chandigarh
View this post on Instagram
Also known as the city beautiful, Chandigarh is one of the only planned cities in India. Earlier this year, the mayor of the city Sarbjit Kaur Dhillon initiated the Plastic-Free City campaign. Chandigarh is using technology to reduce plastic usage and make the ban on plastic successful. The campaign is a part of the Mission Swachh Chandigarh. The authorities aim to remove the use of plastic from the daily routine of the people of Chandigarh. The use of jute and cloth bags is being promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bags. The UT aims to ban all types of plastic.
Pangot
View this post on Instagram
The birdwatching paradise of Pangot in Uttarakhand has turned the tide on plastic waste by involving the entire community in the effort to preserve its beauty. Pangot’s efforts to tackle plastic waste have even been applauded by the United Nations Environment Programme. There was a time when Pangot did not have a proper place where tourists could dispose of their plastic bags and wrappers. Locals and hotel owners joined hands with Delhi-based NGO Chintan to come up with a plan to tackle the problem of plastic waste. Today, the hotels in Pangot don’t allow tourists to bring or leave plastic bags and bottles. They also request them to opt for local food instead of buying packed stuff that comes in plastic wrappers.
Kumarakom
View this post on Instagram
Kumarakom became Kerala’s first plastic-free tourism destination in January 2020. The move came as a part of the state’s initiative to clean up the Vembanad Lake and its surroundings. The project was a part of the Clean Kerala initiative’s Responsible Tourism Mission. The project aims to educate the tourism industry and locals against all types of single-use plastic. Special training in effective waste management and disposal has also been given to houseboat operators and staff members of hotels and resorts.
