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What is Plastic (Bags & Bottles) Freemalaya ?

A campaign to end the use of plastic bottles and bags in all trekking areas of Nepals Himalaya. Such ban has been successfully achieved :
In Bhutan, Bangladesh, Ladakh. Lets put Nepal Himalayas on the map as a Plastic Bottle Free Zone In Chomrung Sanctuary trekking itinerary by local initiative since 12 years In Nepal, Plastic Bags Regulation & Control directive 2011 for ban of black bags in Kathmandu

Why ban plastic bags and bottles in trekking areas of Nepal?

Because its the most obvious pollution, and its easily avoidable. And its not too late and Because trekkers, if informed, are ready to support and comply with the ban Because its easier to start from the top of mountain downwards and to spread it afterwards to all Nepal. Because economic alternatives exist : pills, filtered, boiled water Because its the easiest and cheapest way to enhance Nepals image abroad as a GREEN Destination and sustainable tourism on long term. Because the resource (water) is available

How to implement the ban

To encourage all tourists/trekkers to bring their own water bottles and purifying pills and to say NO to plastic bags and bottles. To request all tourists organizations such as TAAN, NMA, etc as well as Government organization such as NTB to embrace the campaign and advertise the ban. To convince lodges to sell boiled or filtered water to tourists for a fee.

To encourage National Parks, ACAP etc to implement the ban as soon as possible in all the parks of Nepal after consultation with the local population. To work on an agreement (MoU) between the Nepal Government (public sector) and TAAN, NMA, etc. (private sector) Propose economic alternatives to the plastic industry such as water bottles or containers, bags, packaging, etc

Banning vs. Recycling Better prevent than cure

Recycling in the mountains is not sustainable and not economically viable and it is not possible to bring down all plastic from the mountains : Recycle : In Myagdi area people collected plastic bottles for 5,000 NRPS and sold it for 300 NPRS. Ban : In Chomrung, local initiative has banned plastic bottles since 12 years
Cleaning Everest > 96 $ /kg

The Chomrong Example

The route from Annapurna Base Camp to Chomrong has been plastic free since past 12 years. Talk with Hem Bahadur

The next step

To prepare a feasibility study towards a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nepal government and the private sector (plastic industry, tourist sector, local communities) covering: environmental, social & economic issues. To convince all tourist actors (TAAN, NTB, Parks, NTNC, etc.) of the importance of this campaign and of all benefit for Nepal tourism industry. To promote the campaign inside and outside Nepal by all means. With political will, public awareness, business involvement, we could put Nepal Himalayas on the map as a Plastic Free Zone within a year.

LETS DO IT We need your support to make sure that only prayer flags fly in the Himalayan sky. Thank You
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