Ladakh bans single-use plastics, Rs 10,000 fine imposed

In a major step aimed at protecting Ladakh’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered a strict ban on identified single-use plastic items across the Union Territory, with violators facing hefty environmental penalties of up to Rs 10,000.

- AJAY JANDYAL

Under the newly approved enforcement framework, any individual, commercial establishment, hotel, eatery or institution found using, selling, storing, distributing or transporting banned single-use plastic items will be liable to pay an environmental compensation of Rs 10,000. Littering in public places will attract a separate penalty of Rs 5,000.

To strengthen implementation, authorities will also conduct random inspections at Leh Airport and key entry points into Ladakh to check the inflow and use of prohibited plastic items.

The ban covers a wide range of identified single-use plastic products, including plastic cutlery, cups, plates, straws, trays, wrapping films, thermocol decorations, plastic flags, stirrers and plastic banners below the prescribed thickness.