J&K Government declares tourist hotspots and resorts as ‘no polythene’ zones

As per an official order, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has declared tourist hotspots and resorts in Ladakh and Kashmir as no polythene zones. The government has also put a ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastics at its properties. This move comes in the wake of pollution spreading at a fast rate, and efforts to make tourism in Jammu and Kashmir eco-friendly.

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Kashmir Tourism Director Mehmood Shah said, “In order to make Kashmir division, including Leh and Kargil, polythene-free, it is hereby ordered that all tourist units are declared polythene-free zones. The tourist destinations or resorts are also brought under the ambit of no polythene zones.”
Shah also stated that any deviation from the rule will be strictly dealt by the authorities. Also, continuous violation will attract warrant cancellation of registration certificate, which has been issued by the tourism department.

Revealing further on this move, he stated the tourism department has installed a magnetic waste disintegrator and an auto-composer at the Gulmarg ski-resort, which will be capable of processing bio-degradable waste. He said, “The disintegrator shreds polythene and converts into ash. It has been helpful to process waste without causing any harm to the environment.”


As per reports, another such disintegrator will be installed at Pahalgam resort in South Kashmir within a week. The tourism director also informed that the department has banned the use of non-biodegradable plastic and polythene at its events and meetings.

This move will likely motivate tourists to become more responsible, and help government achieve sustainable tourism.