Propelled by a vison of a “zero waste Himalaya”, the law makers  of states and union territories of the Indian Himalaya have vowed to eliminate the single use plastics from the face of the mountains by putting in place “stringent law and a multipronged strategy and bringing all stakeholders on board to achieve the target”.  

 Lawmakers and various stakeholders of the region met at the Integrated Mountain Initiative’s (IMI) conference attended by top experts at Darjeeling on November 20. They later adopted Darjeeling declaration   pledging, “they would work to eliminate single use plastics, which cause over 70 per cent of pollution in the mountains,  to make a zero waste Himalaya”.

They acknowledged an urgent need for bringing about stringent policies and legislation against the single-use plastics, which is ruining the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. They resolved to commit to the vision of a zero-waste Himalaya.

Headed by a proactive deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein and James Sangma, the minister, environment and forest, Meghalaya, the lawmakers and other representatives supported the Central government’s call to eliminate single use plastics by taking measures  for its eradication in the Indian Himalayan region.

“We would urge our state governments, UT administrations, district councils, traditional institutions and other civic bodies for sustained cooperation and collaboration in a fight against plastic pollution”, said Chowna Mein, who presided over the IMI’s legislatures’ meet.

They further advocated for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that should be made feasible in the mountain states. This can be done by addressing the specific needs of mountain economy and by bringing in commitment from the industry, they said.

They agreed to facilitate and support that all waste management rules be contextualized and be sensitive enough in acknowledging the regional specific issues and challenges of mountain states and its players.

Lawmakers asserted that they would engage relevant stakeholders to take proactive steps to explore solutions for a sustainable tourism in the Indian Himalayan Region. “This is possible only when the existing waste crisis and pollution are checked in the region”, they said.

President of IMI PD Rai  said they discussed and deliberated on several important issues of the Indian Himalayan Region, especially on the pathways for plastic waste management in the region and placed on record at the mountain legislators’ meet 2021.  

Giving example of his state, Chowna Mein  said the plastic pollution is impacting an overall health of the people.  Climate change declaration of Arunachal Pradesh is based on the principles of ‘Panchamrit’, he said  

James Sangma brought to attention various crucial issues on the topic including the need for bringing in “nature and economics” together for a sustainable, resilient future for the region.

IMI's vice-president Ramesh Negi, who is former chief secretary Arunchal Pradesh said the meet included a state of affairs presentation on UNEP’s counter measures -II project.  It aims at informing and influencing national policies, institutions and alliances through the generation and dissemination of scientific knowledge on plastic pollution of rivers in India, he said.

As many as over 19 elected representatives and former representatives of various bodies from the Indian Himalayan Region  came on board for the 10th sustainable mountain development summit  Darjeeeling-Kalimpong declaration.  They included Vincent Pala, an MP,    HM Shangpliang, (MLA), ST Venchungpa, (MLA),  Miani Shira,(MLA), Pravat Chowdhury (MLA), Tashi Gyalson, CEC, Ladakh hill development council. Suneel Uniyal, Mayor, Dehradun, Kishore Upadhyay (exMLA), KT Gyaltsen, (ex-speaker), Rigzin Spalbar, a former member LAHDC, Ladakh.

On the other hand, eight representatives adopted the declaration virtually, but Shimla Lok Sabha BJP MP Suresh Kashayap remained conspicuous by his absence despite IMI sending him an invite.

They included Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, MP and chairman, standing Committee on Water Resources, Chowna Mein, deputy CM, Arunachal Pradesh, James Sangma, Minister (Environment and Forest, Govt of Meghalaya, Agatha Sangma, MP (Meghalaya),  M Kikon, MLA, Nagaland and advisor, Department of New and Renewable Energy,  Ninong Ering, MLA Arunachal Pradesh,  Mutchu Mithi, MLA Arunachal Pradesh, Pushpendra Tripathi, former MLA, Uttarakhand.