Shimla, May 31 -- In a major step toward tackling environmental degradation in Himachal Pradesh, the state Cabinet on Saturday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu approved a pilot initiative aimed at managing biodegradable and plastic waste, especially in tourist-heavy regions.

Under the new scheme, tourists purchasing plastic or polythene-packed materials will be charged a nominal security fee, which will be refunded upon returning the packaging. The initiative, which will be monitored via QR codes, is being implemented on a trial basis to assess its effectiveness in reducing waste generation and promoting sustainable tourism practices.

"The idea is to encourage tourists and vendors to take responsibility fo...