The Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) convened a review meeting on November 26 at the Conference Hall, DC Office Leh, focusing on strengthening Plastic Waste Management (PWM) and accelerating the transition toward a Single-Use Plastic (SUP)–free Ladakh.

The meeting was chaired by Rajesh S., IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests / Chief Wildlife Warden UT Ladakh and Member Secretary, LPCC. It was attended by representatives from line departments, local bodies, NGOs, Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG), village-level women’s groups (Ama Tsogspas), recycling units, the President of Merchant Association Leh, the Women’s Alliance of Ladakh, and various community stakeholders.

District Officer LPCC Leh, Ruksana Parveen, delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the current status of plastic waste generation, the collection system, regulatory compliance under the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 and its amendments, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), as well as key gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improving plastic waste management across both urban and rural areas.

Discussions centered on actionable strategies to eliminate SUP items from Ladakh through improved enforcement, behavioral change, and the promotion of sustainable alternatives. Key measures deliberated upon included:
i) Strengthening enforcement of the notified ban on Single-Use Plastic items.
ii) Improving waste segregation, collection, and processing systems across UT Ladakh.
iii) Promoting reusable and eco-friendly alternatives such as cloth bags and compostable bags.
iv) Enhancing community engagement through schools, market associations, tourism operators, SHGs, and NGOs.

As part of the event, a pledge-signing ceremony was organized in which participants reaffirmed their commitment to reducing plastic usage, adopting sustainable alternatives, and supporting environmentally responsible practices.

To promote behavioral change, jute bags were distributed among participants along with informative pamphlets on Plastic Waste Management Rules and strategies to reduce Single-Use Plastic.