Context: Single use food, beverage packaging forms 84% of Himalayan plastic waste

Source: The Hindu

An anti-waste coalition of non-governmental organizations has discovered that over 84% of the plastic garbage in the environmentally conscious Himalayan region is made up of single-use food and drink products.  

About 70% of the plastics gathered from the Himalayan region, which stretches from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, are not recyclable, according to the Zero Waste Himalaya Alliance.

Data collected over the last six years has shown that the Himalayan trash dilemma is mostly a systems and production problem rather than a post-consumer waste management issue. A paradigm shift away from centralized, extractive waste systems and systemic, policy-level interventions were deemed essential, even while the importance of individual behavioral change was recognized and emphasized.

Sikkim produced the most garbage out of the nine Himalayan states that were targeted in 2025. Darjeeling in West Bengal, which had 36,180 items audited over 37 sites, came next.

Model Question:

Plastic waste has emerged as a major environmental threat to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Discuss the causes, impacts, and suggest a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the issue effectively.

Model Answer:

Plastic waste accumulation in the Himalayan region poses a serious threat to its fragile ecosystem, biodiversity, and water sources. With increasing anthropogenic pressure, especially from tourism and urbanization, the pristine Himalayan environment is under severe stress.

Causes:

1. Tourism boom: Popular trekking and pilgrimage routes (e.g., Kedarnath, Amarnath) witness lakhs of tourists annually, generating large quantities of non-biodegradable waste.
2. Lack of waste management infrastructure: Remote and hilly areas lack collection, segregation, and disposal systems.
3. Single-use plastic usage: Widespread use of PET bottles, packaging materials, and plastic carry bags due to convenience and cost.
4. Urban expansion: Growing towns and markets in the Himalayan belt contribute to plastic generation without corresponding waste disposal mechanisms.
5. Pilgrimage and religious festivals: Generate seasonal spikes in waste without systematic planning for management.

Impacts:

1. Ecological degradation: Plastic clogs waterways, affects soil health, and harms wildlife through ingestion and entanglement.
2. Glacial pollution: Studies have found microplastics in Himalayan glaciers, threatening long-term freshwater reserves.
3. Tourism sustainability: Littered landscapes diminish the region’s ecological and aesthetic value, affecting local livelihoods.
4. Public health hazards: Burning of plastic leads to air pollution; improper disposal causes water contamination.

Way Forward:

1. Policy and regulation: Enforce single-use plastic bans; implement the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Himalayan states.
2. Infrastructure development: Set up decentralized waste processing units, especially in tourist hubs.
3. Eco-tourism promotion: Encourage low-waste tourism with caps on visitors and mandatory eco-guidelines.
4. Community participation: Involve local communities in plastic collection, segregation, and recycling with financial incentives.
5. Awareness and education: Promote behavioral change through campaigns targeting tourists and locals.

Protecting the Himalayas from plastic pollution requires a convergence of strong policy, scientific management, and active citizen participation. A sustainable Himalayan future hinges on balancing development with ecological preservation.