The Ladakh Administration headed by Lieutenant Governor recently issued a landmark order by imposing a strict ban on single-use plastics and launched a major crackdown on littering. The Government officials have been empowered to issue spot penalties, alongside random inspections at Leh Airport to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered a ban on the sale and use of single-use plastic and directed a crackdown on littering in J&K. This is seen as a major environmental initiative. While addressing the media LG Saxena said that the measure was essential to safeguard Ladakh’s fragile environment and ecology and its landscapes, which underpin its tourism  driven economy. Under the new enforcement framework, hefty penalties will be imposed for littering, and violations related to single use plastic items. The field level officers like the Block Development Officers (BDOs), Tehsildars, Municipal Officers, Foresters and Forest Guards, have been empowered to detect violations and issue on spot challans. The Ladakh administration has also ordered random inspections at Leh Airport and various border and entry points across Ladakh to prevent the inflow and circulation of prohibited plastic items. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the serious impact of plastic waste on Ladakh’s environment which witnesses a huge influx of tourists during summer months. Like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir also needs a similar initiative to make it polythene-free. Both Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah must jointly work on this. The 100 days Drug Free J&K Campaign (Nasha Mukt Abhiyan) which concluded recently under the leadership of LG Manoj Sinha was a big hit. Mr Sinha visited all the 20........

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