The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is launching a statewide initiative to promote plastic-free tourism by organising plastic-free fairs and establishing Plastic Management Units at major tourist destinations. The move follows a highly successful campaign at the recent Navratri fair in Vindhyachal Dham.

The department, in collaboration with district administrations, will target over 50 major fairs held annually across the state. Under the SafaiSaathi Abhiyan (Cleanliness Partner Campaign), awareness drives will be conducted to discourage the use of plastic among the millions of visitors who attend these events.

The recent Navratri fair at Vindhyachal Dham, which saw an attendance of over 5 million people, served as a successful pilot for this initiative. A dedicated team of 680 sanitation workers and 15 e-rickshaws was deployed to manage waste and ensure the site remained plastic-free. Encouraged by this success, the department is now scaling up the effort.

Plastic Management Units

As a next step, the department will set up Plastic Management Units at crowded tourist spots and fairgrounds.

- Cost: Approximately Rs 32 lakh per unit.

- Function: Each unit will be equipped with machines to melt plastic waste and convert it into pellets.

- Recycling: These pellets will then be supplied to industrial units for recycling and reuse.

Urban local bodies will also be involved in the operation of these units.

Vision For Responsible Tourism

Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh stated, "The number of tourists in the state is continuously increasing. The Tourism Department is promoting responsible tourism. Therefore, an action plan is being implemented to make all tourist destinations plastic-free."

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The initiative will cover dozens of major festivals across the state, including the Lucknow Mahotsav, Agra Mahotsav, Ganga Mahotsav, Ramayan Mela and many others.

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