Taking note of the urgency to work towards environmental conservation, India’s Lahaul-Spiti administration has drafted a proposal to introduce a Green Tax in the region. By Kumar Shree
According to the latest news reports, the Lahaul-Spiti administration has proposed a Green Tax. Once implemented, this tax will introduce compensation for visitors travelling to the region. The sum accumulated from this Lahaul Green Tax will go towards maintaining cleanliness, greenery, and the development of the villages.
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The administration has already shared the proposal with the Himachal Pradesh government and is awaiting a go-ahead. As reported by Times of India, Lahaul-Spiti Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Rai says, “The proposal to impose green cess has been sent to the state government. We are working on providing water to Keylong 24 hours a day on a pilot project. The facility will be provided in other areas in a phased manner.”
The administration has already rolled out its strategy for waste management. Going ahead, every tourist will get a jute bag before entering the region. These bags are to be used for storing trash, instead of dumping waste at random places. Travellers can then dispose these bags at designated areas and contribute towards keeping the region clean.
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Notably, Lahaul is among Himachal Pradesh’s key tourist destinations, and the number of tourists visiting the region is multiplying by many folds every year. Since Lahaul sits on a fragile terrain, an uprise in tourism is creating many environmental problems. The district is currently combating littering, sound pollution and air pollution issues among others.
However, this is not the first time that a region is introducing Green Tax. Earlier in 2019, Shimla had introduced a similar Green Tax.
Related: Rohtang Pass Opened Earlier Than Usual To Supply Essential Goods To Lahaul & Spiti
