In a significant move towards environmental conservation, the Madras High Court has imposed a ban on 28 types of plastic products in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, which includes popular hill stations like the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal.
The ban includes commonly used items such as PET bottles, cling films, and plastic-coated plates and cups, with the court emphasizing the need to protect fragile ecosystems from plastic pollution.
Strict Orders Issued To Tamil Nadu Government
The ruling came from a division bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and D Bharatha Chackravarthy, who issued fresh interim orders during a hearing on a batch of public interest petitions filed by G Subramania Koushik and others.
The court directed the Tamil Nadu government to incorporate a new condition under the Motor Vehicles Act—any vehicle transporting or distributing banned plastic products in the Western Ghats must be detained. Authorities have been instructed to take strict action against violators of this directive.
Biodegradable Packaging Mandatory
In a further push for sustainable alternatives, the court ordered that shopkeepers and food distributors must switch from plastic packaging to biodegradable materials. This applies to plastic foil wraps and similar materials widely used in packaging consumables.
Full List Of Banned Items
The comprehensive list of prohibited items includes:
- Single-use PET bottles for water and juices
- Plastic cling films and sheets for food wrapping
- Plastic sheets used on dining tables
- Plastic and plastic-coated paper plates and cups
- Plastic tea cups, tumblers, and thermocol cups
- Plastic wrapping films used around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packs
- PVC and plastic banners under 100 microns in thickness
According to the sources, the court’s emphasis on eliminating plastic is a part of broader efforts to safeguard biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats, which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of non-biodegradable waste.
Legal Impact
This judicial intervention highlights the urgent need for eco-sensitive zones to be free from single-use plastics, and the court has made it clear that enforcement must be taken seriously. The state government is now responsible for implementing these measures and ensuring that plastic use in these regions is not only curbed but eliminated.
The court’s action sets a precedent in combining environmental protection with legal accountability, sending a strong message about the importance of sustainable practices in India’s natural reserves.
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