East Khasi Hills District Bans Roadside Cooking and Littering

The East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya has imposed an immediate ban on cooking and waste disposal at roadside tourist spots. District Magistrate Abhilash Baranwal invoked Section 163 of the BNSS after the Tourism Department reported growing litter, smoke, and fire hazards along the Shillong–Mawkdok–Sohra road and other popular viewpoints. The order prohibits the use of firewood, charcoal, LPG or any fuel for cooking, and bans dumping plastic, cans, bottles, food waste or any garbage in public areas, forests, water bodies, drains and along roadsides across all notified tourist locations. Violators will be booked under Section 223 of the BNS and related laws. The crackdown, effective from Tuesday, aims to protect drainage systems, forest health, traffic flow and the region’s reputation as a clean tourism destination.

The administration urges tourists, locals and vendors to adopt a no‑throwaway habit and keep the hills spotless, emphasizing that the natural scenery, not litter, should be the main attraction.