SHILLONG, Dec 15: Meghalaya has rolled out a Green Deposit Scheme aimed at tackling plastic pollution in high-footfall eco-tourism destinations, reinforcing the State’s commitment to sustainable tourism and improved waste management.
The initiative has been implemented in popular tourist locations including Cherrapunjee, Dawki and the Living Root Bridges, which have witnessed a surge in visitor numbers and a corresponding rise in plastic waste affecting forests, rivers and fragile ecosystems.
Under the scheme, tourists carrying plastic items such as bottles and wrappers into notified zones are required to pay a refundable deposit of ₹100. The amount is returned when visitors responsibly dispose of or hand over the plastic waste at designated exit points. The measure is intended to discourage littering and promote a “leave no trace” culture among tourists.
Officials said the Green Deposit Scheme forms part of Meghalaya’s broader waste management reforms, which include community-led sanitation initiatives, enhanced waste segregation systems and stricter enforcement of plastic-use regulations. The move also aligns with directives of the Meghalaya High Court mandating strict implementation of bans on single-use plastics, especially those below 120 microns.
Local communities and tourism stakeholders will play a key role in implementing the scheme, combining enforcement with awareness to ensure environmental protection while supporting responsible tourism growth.
The initiative also complements the Clean Hills City programme under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. These efforts focus on scientific solid waste management, plastic waste reduction, source segregation and behaviour-change campaigns tailored to fragile hill ecosystems.
