Ladakh initiates strict enforcement of ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUP) and littering, violations to attract a penalty up to ₹ 10,000 for use of SUP and up to ₹ 5,000 for littering
The Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, UT Ladakh, has initiated strict enforcement of the ban on identified Single-Use Plastics (SUP) and littering across the Union Territory.
As per the ban, whoever is found using Single Use Plastics may be fined up to ₹ 10,000, while a penalty of up to ₹ 5,000 may be imposed on anyone caught littering.
As per the notice by the Administration of the Union territory of Ladakh, India, on 19 June 2026, it has banned the use, sale, storage, stocking, distribution, transportation, and supply of all identified banned Single-Use Plastic (SUP) items and has stated that they shall remain strictly prohibited throughout the Union Territory of Ladakh.
It states that any person or entity found littering, using, storing, stocking, selling, supplying, distributing or transporting the banned Single-Use Plastic (SUP) items shall be liable for the imposition of a penalty, which may extend up to ₹ 10,000.
The penalty will be in addition to any other action that may be initiated against the violating person or entity, under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Plastic Waste Management Rules and other applicable laws, rules, guidelines and regulations.
As per the notice by Ladakh's administration, a penalty of up to ₹ 5,000 may be imposed on any person found littering.
Featuring clean landscapes and natural beauty, Ladakh is an ecologically sensitive area that is known for its fragile environment. It is important to know and realise that littering in such a region causes environmental degradation, pollutes the land and water, and harms wildlife.
All residents, tourists, business establishments, and institutions in Ladakh are directed to comply with the regulations. Violations will invite penalties as per the prescribed rules.
Single-Use Plastic items pose a serious threat to the environment due to their non-biodegradable nature and have a high potential to contaminate soil, air and water resources, resulting in long-term ecological damage, while the degradation, burning and improper disposal of plastic waste may release hazardous chemicals and toxic substances, including compounds known or suspected to be carcinogenic, which pose risks to health and the environment.
The Government of India has prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified Single-Use Plastic (SUP) items, including ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron and plastic stirrers under the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, as amended from time to time.
The notice by the Ladakh Administration also lists the officers or officials that are authorised to inspect, detect violations, issue notices or challans, impose and recover Environmental Compensation or Penalties. Among them, it notes that Environment Protection Force is authorised to collect penalty only through online payments. View the full notice on X.
- Post by Ladakh Tourism @utladakhtourism on X.