Kerala High Court Bans Single-Use Plastics In 10 Hilly Tourist Spots

Last Updated:June 17, 2025, 22:43 IST

The ban, however, does not apply to 5-litre plastic water bottles and 2-litre plastic soft drink bottles

A man carry fruits in single use plastic bags at a local market in Chennai on July 1, 2022. India imposed a ban on many single-use plastics on Friday in a bid to tackle waste choking rivers and poisoning wildlife, but experts say it faces severe headwinds from unprepared manufacturers and consumers unwilling to pay more. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

The Kerala High Court has banned single-use plastics at 10 hilly tourist destinations in the state, including Munnar in Idukki and Sultan Bathery in Wayanad.

This ban does not apply to 5-litre plastic water bottles and 2-litre plastic soft drink bottles. The tourist areas with the highest footfall are the ones where single-use plastics are prohibited.

The designated places are Munnar, Thekaddy, Vagamon, Athirappally, Chalakudy, Nelliyampathy, Pookode Lake-Vythir, Sulthan Bathery, Karlad Lake Wayanad, Ambalavayal, and the Wayanad Heritage Museum.

The High Court has also banned the use of plastic water bottles below five litres, plastic straws, plates, cups, and cutlery in all wedding auditoriums, hotels, and restaurants in the state.

Additionally, the court has prohibited the use of plastic water bottles below five litres, plastic straws, plates, cups, and cutlery in all official Central/State Government functions conducted within Kerala.

These directives will come into effect from October 2, 2025, by which time the State Government must take adequate steps to implement them.

This was a suo-motu petition initiated by the High Court.

The court has also stated that sufficient water kiosks should be set up at different locations in hilly tourist areas to provide clean and safe drinking water. The District Administration and Local Self Government Institutions should arrange to provide drinking water to tourists in these high footfall areas at reasonable distances.

The High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of Kerala and the Special Secretary to the Local Self Government Department to coordinate the implementation of these directives, along with the Local Self Government Institutions, the Pollution Control Board, and the State Police.

The order was issued by Justice Bechu Kurien Thomas and Justice Gopinath P.

Neethu Reghukumar

Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods ...Read More

Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods ...

Read More

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Kerala, India, India

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