Widening the Green Net Over the Ghats
Madras High Court Bans 28 Plastic Products Across Western Ghats: In a landmark move for ecological preservation, the Madras High Court has banned 28 plastic items across the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. This extensive prohibition spans from the Nilgiris to the Agasthiyar Biosphere Reserve in Kanniyakumari. It covers all hill stations, tiger reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries, signaling one of the most comprehensive judicial measures for environmental protection in recent times.
What’s Banned and Where?
The court has prohibited common single-use plastic items such as water bottles, cling films, plates, tumblers, and thermocol cups. Other banned items include plastic-coated carry bags, straws, ear buds, ice-cream sticks, cigarette pack wraps, and even plastic banners under 100 microns. The order clearly states that no plastic packaging or wrappers should be seen within these eco-sensitive zones, reinforcing a strict anti-plastic policy in protected areas.
Judicial Backing for Environmental Protection
The decision was delivered by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, which acknowledged the state’s earlier actions like the 2018 state-wide plastic ban and the 2019 ban in Nilgiris and Kodaikanal. This new ruling directs a zero-tolerance approach across all of Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats. Notably, the court has also empowered authorities to use the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019, to monitor and prevent plastic inflow through tourist vehicles, especially during holiday seasons.
A Step Towards Sustainable Eco-Tourism
The Western Ghats, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are among the world’s most vital ecological zones. Plastic waste poses a severe threat to this region, affecting wildlife, polluting water sources, and degrading natural beauty. This ban sets a strong legal precedent for promoting eco-tourism that is sustainable and environment-friendly. It also serves as a model for other eco-sensitive states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Madras High Court Bans 28 Plastic Products Across Western Ghats:
| Topic | Details |
| Verdict Issued By | Madras High Court Division Bench |
| Area Covered | Western Ghats (Nilgiris to Agasthiyar Biosphere) |
| Total Products Banned | 28 Plastic Products |
| Previous State Ban | Blanket Ban in 2018; Nilgiris/Kodaikanal Ban in 2019 |
| Powers Invoked | Motor Vehicles Act, 2019 |
| Notable Products in Ban List | Bottles, plates, cups, ear buds, sachets, thermocol |
| Key Protected Areas Affected | Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Agasthiyar Biosphere Reserve |
| Relevance | UPSC Prelims Environment, TNPSC Ecology, SSC General Awareness |
