The Himalayan town of Lachen in Sikkim has drawn attention for its efforts to reduce plastic waste generated by tourism. The town has adopted restrictions on packaged drinking-water bottles and promoted reusable alternatives, including bamboo bottles, for visitors.
Lachen, located in North Sikkim at a high altitude, attracts tourists because of its mountain landscapes and its role as a gateway toward destinations such as Gurudongmar Lake. With the increase in tourism, discarded plastic bottles became a concern for local residents and authorities.
As part of the initiative, tourists have been encouraged to leave disposable plastic bottles outside the town or transfer drinking water into reusable containers. Bamboo bottles have been introduced as an alternative, providing visitors with a more traditional and reusable option.
Sikkim has a longer history of measures aimed at reducing plastic use. The state introduced restrictions on plastic use as early as 1998, while packaged drinking water was prohibited at government offices and events in 2016.
The Lachen initiative also highlights the role of local communities in managing tourism-related waste. Shops, hotels, residents and local institutions have participated in efforts to reduce the amount of plastic entering the region. More recent coverage describes vehicles being checked for plastic bottles and reusable bamboo bottles being available locally.
For tourists, the message is straightforward: carry reusable bottles, refill where permitted, and avoid leaving plastic waste behind in fragile Himalayan environments.
The initiative has also attracted attention as an example of sustainable tourism, showing how a small mountain community can combine tourism with efforts to reduce disposable plastic waste.