The Kerala government is planning to set up green checkposts and introduce an entry fee system in several panchayats and districts starting October 2, as part of efforts to enforce the High Court’s ban on plastic bottles and other single-use plastics in eco-sensitive areas.
The enforcement drive will cover key hill stations and tourism hubs including Munnar, Kumily, Elappara, Athirapally, Nelliampathy, Vythiri, Sulthan Bathery, and Ambalavayal.
These areas include popular destinations such as Thekkady, Vagamon, Chalakudy-Athirappilly sector, Pookode Lake, Karalad Lake and the Wayanad Heritage Museum.
Green checkposts will be set up at major entry points to inspect vehicles and screen incoming tourists for banned plastic items. The court has prohibited plastic water bottles with a capacity below five litres and soft drink bottles below two litres.
An entry fee will also be charged from visitors at designated points. According to officials, the collected fees will be used to fund green volunteers, deploy monitoring staff, and cover other operational expenses related to enforcing the ban.
A state-wide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign will begin ahead of the October 2 rollout. It is expected to run for three months and will aim to inform tourists and locals about the ban, while encouraging long-term behavioural change.
To tackle the shortage of eco-friendly alternatives, the Local Self Government Department has partnered with Kudumbashree to scale up the production of cloth bags and biodegradable packaging. The state hopes to expand the Munnar Green Corridor model to other hill destinations, combining enforcement with community involvement.
Officials acknowledge that the availability of plastic substitutes and coordination between local bodies may pose challenges. However, the state says it is committed to fully implementing the court’s order.