Sandakhphu, Singalila National Park declared plastic-free from June 15

DARJEELING,: Sandakhphu, one of Darjeeling's most popular tourist destinations, along with the Singalila National Park under which it falls, will be declared a ‘plastic-free zone’ starting June 15, officials announced on June 5.

The declaration was made by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Tourism department on the occasion of World Environment Day. Manebhanjyang, the entry point to the national park, will also be brought under the same regulation from the same date.

Speaking at a plantation drive held at Manebhanjyang, GTA Tourism field director Dawa Sherpa said, “From June 15, no plastic will be allowed inside Singalila National Park and Manebhanjyang. We appeal to all tourists and locals to refrain from carrying plastic in the area. The Forest department will implement the regulation and impose fines on violators.”

Sherpa added that the decision was formalised during the World Environment Day event, which saw participation from representatives of the tourism department, local panchayats, forest department, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the local guides’ association.

The park will also remain closed to tourists during the monsoon season for three months starting June 15. During this period, awareness campaigns will be conducted with the help of the Society of Highlander Guides and Porters Welfare Association, which will use loudspeakers to spread the message in surrounding areas.

“In the meantime, the tourism and forest departments will also conduct reconnaissance for new trekking routes from Manebhanjyang to Sandakhphu,” Sherpa said.

Similar tree plantation drives were conducted across various locations in the hills on Thursday by the GTA Tourism department in coordination with local organisations and administrative bodies.