Sikkim Bans Packaged Bottle Water from January 2022
The state government of Sikkim announced the ban in packaged mineral water from January 1, 2022 onwards as it is blessed with natural, fresh water
GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang that packaged mineral water will be prohibited in the Himalayan state beginning January 1, 2022. Sikkim is "blessed with natural resources that provide fresh and good quality drinking water."
During his speech on Gandhi Jayanti, Tamang also stated that after the ban is enacted, people will prefer water from natural resources, which is far healthier than water from plastic bottles.
The CM also stated that a three-month buffer period will be provided to deplete the existing stock of mineral water bottles offered at businesses. During a cleaning campaign on the occasion, Tamang, who was joined by Governor Ganga Prasad, said that the state government is taking steps to prohibit the flow of bottled drinking water from outside.
Tourist attractions such as Lachen in North Sikkim, for example, have already prohibited the use of bottled water bottles.
Looking forward to reduce the plastic pollution, Sikkim is a way ahead as it is the first state to outlaw disposable plastic bags smaller than 50 microns in 1988. In 2016, the entire state banned the use of Styrofoam and thermocol disposable plates and flatware.
This isn't the first time they've mentioned prohibiting the use of plastic water bottles. They banned their use in government buildings and events in 2016, instead promoting the use of filtered water, water dispensers, and reusable water bottles. In 2012, the town of Lachen in North Sikkim declared itself plastic-free, and visitors were urged to either dispose of their plastic bottles or transfer their water into reusable bottles, which were available at all establishments in the area. Vehicles were (and are still being) randomly inspected to ensure that no plastic bottles made their way into town.
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