In a significant environmental ruling, the Kerala High Court has imposed a ban on single-use plastic in hilly tourist destinations and restricted the use of plastic bottles at weddings and government events, effective from Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2, 2025).

The Division Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P. Gopinath passed the order in a suo motu case (Suo Motu v. State of Kerala) initiated to tackle the mounting plastic waste problem, especially in eco-sensitive tourism hotspots.

The Court's directions include the following key measures:

• Hilly Tourist Destinations:
  The sale and use of single-use plastics—such as food containers, plates, cups, straws, sachets, and bakery boxes—are banned in hilly regions with high tourist footfall, as specified in the Court’s order.
  Notably, the ban does not apply to water bottles with a capacity of 5 litres or more and soft drink bottles of 2 litres or more.
• Weddings, Government & Public Events:
  Plastic water bottles under 5 litres, soda bottles under 2 litres, straws, plates, cups, and cutlery are prohibited at all Central and State government functions, weddings, restaurants, hotels, auditoriums, and similar venues.
  The Court directed that these restrictions be incorporated into the licence conditions for such establishments.

To ensure effective enforcement, the Court issued several administrative directives:

• Infrastructure Support:
  Local self-government bodies and district administrations are to establish water kiosks in tourist areas and ensure availability of alternatives such as glass or copper bottles at regular intervals.
• Public Cooperation:
  Tourists must be discouraged from carrying single-use plastic to hilly regions and encouraged to shift to reusable alternatives.
• Waste Management & Clean-Up:
  Authorities must prevent plastic dumping in rivers, canals, and backwaters, and carry out systematic collection of plastic waste from these water bodies.
• Awareness Campaigns:
  The State is directed to launch awareness campaigns through print and visual media on the environmental hazards of plastic and to promote eco-friendly alternatives.
• Legal Enforcement:
  The Plastic Waste Management Rules and other relevant laws are to be strictly implemented throughout the State.

The Bench emphasized that the right to a clean environment is a fundamental right and that every citizen has a corresponding duty to protect it. The judges noted that hilly areas were at risk of becoming “plastic dump yards” due to increased tourist activity and stressed the urgency of intervention.

The Court has tasked the Chief Secretary and the Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the plastic ban, in collaboration with local bodies, the Pollution Control Board, and the State Police.

During the hearing, Special Government Pleader Unnikrishnan appeared for the State, while Standing Counsel Janardhana Shenoy and Suman Chakravarthi represented the Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram Corporations respectively. Anupama T.V. (IAS), Special Secretary, LSGD, also joined the proceedings via video conference.