Meghalaya introduces green deposit to safeguard eco-sensitive tourist locations

SHILLONG, May 16: The state government has introduced the concept of a green deposit to ensure that eco-sensitive tourist locations are not overwhelmed by litter and overcrowding.
According to Tourism Department Commissioner and Secretary CVD Diengdoh, the government is in touch with local communities, encouraging them to conform to the carrying capacity norms, as most tourist locations in the state are managed by villages.
Under the Community-led Tourism Infrastructure Scheme, grants of up to Rs 25 lakh are provided to societies to implement projects that address carrying capacity and sustainability.
Explaining the green deposit initiative, Diengdoh said tourists visiting eco-sensitive sites will be required to pay a deposit at the entry point if they are carrying plastic bottles. The deposit will be refunded once the tourists return and produce the plastic bottles.
He informed that some tourist sites have already started implementing this idea and stressed the importance of maintaining checks and balances to monitor the carrying capacity of such locations.
The Tourism department is also urging villages and local societies to define their carrying capacity so the Government can offer incentives accordingly.
Meanwhile, Diengdoh also highlighted the importance of the Meghalaya Tourism App, an integrated platform that hotel, guest house and homestay owners are encouraged to use.
The app facilitates tourist check-in and check-out, and a digital copy of the tourist’s details is shared with the nearest police stations.
“In cases of any unfortunate incident, we can quickly respond with the help of the app,” he said, adding that it can also be used to generate tickets for entry into various tourist sites across the state.