The Ernakulam district administration has decided to strictly enforce the ban on single-use plastic materials along Fort Kochi beach and nearby areas, following its finding that ineffective collection and disposal of plastic waste has led to environmental pollution in the region.
The use of single-use plastic materials will be completely banned and traders and vendors have been instructed to switch to eco-friendly alternatives, according to an action taken report submitted by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh to the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal on July 21, 2025. The tribunal had taken suo motu cognisance of the impact of garbage pile-ups on the tourism potential of the Fort Kochi coastline.
The report stated that volunteers of the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) would collect inorganic waste from all roadside shops by charging a user fee. The District Collector has instructed that all shops be brought under the programme and issued proper receipts for the services provided.
The key issues identified in waste management in Fort Kochi included the lack of facilities for processing biowaste at source, prompting hotels, homestays, and eateries to rely on external agencies for disposal. Plastic waste was reportedly being dumped and burnt in unauthorised locations further aggravating environmental concerns, the report said.
The Kochi Corporation has informed that waste collection and processing have been streamlined through the HKS by ensuring the systematic collection of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste from roadside vendors and commercial units. A user fee system has been introduced making it mandatory for shops and vendors to pay for the waste collection services
The civic body said that financial constraints had affected efforts to manage sea waste. It urged the Department of Tourism, District Tourism Promotion Council, and the Heritage Society to take up the issue of sea waste disposal.
However, the district administration pointed out that it was the responsibility of the Corporation to manage the disposal of sea waste, as it was generated within the Corporation’s jurisdiction. As a long-term solution, steps are being taken to identify a suitable location for setting up a material collection facility to enable the segregation and processing of sea waste, according to the report.
Published – July 26, 2025 12:56 am IST
