In an effort to control growing plastic pollution at its most visited natural attractions, the Meghalaya government has introduced a refundable “green deposit” scheme for tourists entering selected eco-tourism destinations in the state. The scheme was rolled out on Sunday and will apply to high-footfall locations such as Cherrapunjee, Dawki and the Living Root Bridges. These areas have witnessed a sharp rise in tourist numbers in recent years, which has also led to an increase in plastic waste, officials said. Under the new initiative, tourists carrying plastic items such as bottles, bags, food wrappers and packaged materials into notified areas will be required to pay a refundable deposit of ₹100 at designated entry points.
The amount will be returned when visitors deposit or hand over their plastic waste at authorised collection counters while exiting the site. Officials said the aim of the scheme is not to penalise tourists but to encourage responsible behaviour and reduce plastic litter in ecologically sensitive zones. Rivers, forests and limestone caves in these areas have been increasingly affected by discarded plastic, which poses long-term risks to wildlife and natural water systems.“The green deposit is meant to make visitors more conscious about what they carry into these fragile ecosystems,” an official associated with the programme said.
“If tourists return their plastic waste properly, they get their money back. It is a simple way to promote accountability.” The government has identified specific checkpoints at major tourist entry and exit routes where deposits will be collected and refunded. Waste collected through the scheme will be sent to authorised recycling or disposal facilities.