Shillong: Tourists visiting some of Meghalaya’s most popular eco-tourism destinations will now be required to pay a refundable “green deposit” if they carry plastic bottles or bags, as the state government on Sunday launched a scheme aimed at curbing plastic pollution at high-footfall natural sites, officials said.
The Green Deposit scheme has been introduced at destinations such as Cherrapunjee, Dawki and the Living Root Bridges, where a surge in tourist numbers has led to rising plastic waste, posing threats to rivers, forests and fragile ecosystems, they said.
Under the initiative, tourists carrying plastic items such as bottles or wrappers into notified zones must pay a refundable deposit of Rs 100, which is returned upon responsible disposal or return of plastic waste at designated exit points. The move is aimed at discouraging littering and promoting a “leave no trace” culture among visitors.
The scheme forms part of Meghalaya’s broader efforts to strengthen waste management through community-led sanitation models, improved waste segregation and stricter enforcement of plastic regulations, they said.
It also aligns with the directions of the Meghalaya High Court on the strict enforcement of bans on single-use plastics, particularly items below 120 microns.
The scheme combines enforcement and awareness, with local communities and tourism stakeholders playing a key role in implementation to ensure environmental protection, the officials added.
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The Green Deposit Scheme also complements the Clean Hills City initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, in collaboration with state governments.
