THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant move aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and curbing environment pollution in ecologically sensitive hilly areas, the local self-government department (LSGD) has initiated a statewide mapping of tourist destinations to regulate visitor inflow based on local waste processing capacity.
The step comes as part of the implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026, which came into force on April 1, 2026. The LSGD has launched a study to find the infrastructure gap and carrying capacity at destinations falling under such ecologically sensitive hilly terrains.
A senior official with the LSGD told TNIE that efforts are in full swing to implement the Solid Waste Management Rules in the state. Recently, the government constituted a state-level committee chaired by the chief secretary for the purpose. In February, the Supreme Court directed states to implement the rules effectively.
The new rules mandate levying user fees on tourists to manage waste generation at the destination, regulating tourist influx based on the available waste management infrastructure capacity, decentralised processing of wet waste generated at hotels and restaurants at the destinations, and setting up of designated collection points for handling non-biodegradable waste.
“The SWM rules give special emphasis to hilly regions. We have directed our district officials to undertake a mapping of hilly destinations across the state. Visitor footfall, peak tourism seasons and waste generation patterns will be studied. We need to find out the requirements at each destination for the implementation of the rules,” said a top LSGD official.
‘Preparatory work is progressing fast’
In view of the ongoing model code of conduct in connection with the assembly election, the department is doing all the spade work for the roll-out of the rules in an expedited manner.
“Preparatory work is progressing fast and we need to align our existing waste management policy with the new rules. Work is under way, and once the new government takes charge, we will be in a position to roll out the rules immediately. The centralised portal by the Central Pollution Control Board will be launched in six months. By then, we need to be ready with our preparations. Identifying bulk waste generators and making them register in the centralised portal will be the main task,” the official said.