Tourism dept serious about plastic ban

SHILLONG: Officials of the Tourism Department will soon meet the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner over the imposition of Section 144 CrPC prohibiting use of polythene with a thickness of less than 40 microns as one of the measures to curb proliferation of plastic wastes in all tourist destinations in the district.
An official from the department said most of the tourist spots and destinations in the district, especially in Sohra and Mawlynnong, are run by societies and traditional heads and the state will have to take the stakeholders on board for implementing the order in letter and spirit.
“We will come out with something comprehensive to make sure that the order is imposed,” the official said.
The order has been issued in view of the reports received time and again that indiscriminate disposal of used plastic is rampantly taking place at tourist sites that has resulted in an alarming accumulation of plastic wastes.
The areas are increasingly becoming an eyesore, besides adversely reducing the scenic and pristine beauty of popular landmarks.
Meanwhile, the official also informed that the department is coming out with a comprehensive plan for Umiam viewpoint. The site is visited by hundreds of tourists everyday and since it does not have a public toilet, people are seen using open loo.
The official said the nearest available restroom is that of a vehicle showroom.