Page 62 - CIJ Nov 2024 Digital Edition

DIFFERENT STROKES

framework on waste dumping and burning of
management, they are not waste in and around tourist
factored in while creating a areas. Other reasons include
mandate for both local bodies the difficult terrain which
and Producers, Importers and increases the costs of daily
Brand Owners (PIBOs), so operations and complicates
much so that PWM and EPR transportation logistics to the
do not recognise them at all. nearest recycling factories and
Even though the Ministry inadequate funding to meet the
of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change has mandated expenses in hilly areas due to
FMCG brands to set up and the widely spread population
support reverse logistics for and inhospitable terrain.
their plastic waste as part of While improved SWM
their EPR mandate under the policies and regulations are in
Plastic Waste Management place, conventional methods
Rules 2016, most brands do of waste management are still
not invest in reverse logistics prevalent across IHR. Strict
in hilly areas due to the high implementation of revised
cost of collection. SWM rules, civil awareness,
Some of the reasons for community participation,
plastic pollution in the IHR good waste management
include poor waste collection practices, capacity building,
infrastructure which leads to and adoption of new and
more than 60% of waste being
dumped, burned, or swept innovative technologies
downstream into key rivers could be the way forward for
like the Ganga, Yamuna, and improved SWM to achieve
Sutlej, according to studies. sustainable development of the
Additionally, waste dumping IHR. Collaboration between
has an adverse effect on the local bodies and producers is
30,000 species of local flora essential with the potential for
and fauna, some of which higher value EPR certificates
are rare and on the verge of in mountainous regions.
extinction. In recent times In conclusion, the IHR is
durables and consumables,
FMCGs in multilayered plastic a unique, stunning, delicate,
packaging, have reached most eco-sensitive zone under
villages in the Himalayas. threat from waste generated
Household products made of by inhabitants and tourists.
cloth, wood, leaves, bamboo, The inadequate waste
and other local materials are infrastructure, informal
being replaced by cheaper means of waste disposal, lack
plastic products and the of proper implementation
heavy influx of tourists in of SWM rules and civil
rural areas and trekking awareness have increased
routes influences locals to environmental pollution and
procure and sell packaged health risks to people and
FMCGs, Polyethylene wildlife of the region. IHR
Terephthalate (PET) bottles, state-specific strategies need
and single-use plastics to be implemented, focusing
meet the large demand on conservation and socio-
generated by the tourism and economic development.
hospitality sectors. This has
led to widespread littering, Compiled by Rajashri Ramakrishnan CIJ

NOVEMBER 2024•Clean India Journal
62 www.cleanindiajournal.com