SANJEEV KUMAR Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN this petition the Court is concerned with the serious issue of packaging of non -essential items in non -biodegradable/plastic material. Himachal Pradesh is a State largely nestling in the mountain ranges. Tourism is the major activity which provides employment to a large number of people in the State. Tourists will come to Himachal only if it retains its glory and beauty. If the streams and nullahs are jammed with plastic and other non -biodegradable material then the beauty of the State will come to an end and this will result in loss of tourism.

(2.) WE have for the last two years been passing orders and trying to coax the Government and its officials to take certain action. There have been some fruitful results but the pace at which things have moved is not to our satisfaction.

(3.) WE are not oblivious to the fact that due to practical reasons we cannot recommend the total ban on the sale of mustard oil and other edible products in plastic packaging. Our concern is how the use of non biodegradable packaging is either reduced or the same is recycled in such a manner that there is minimum damage to the environment. This can be done by ensuring that the discarded packaging is used for some other purpose such as construction of road as envisaged by the State of Himachal Pradesh.