What action has the Madras High Court taken to address plastic waste in the Western Ghats?

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to convene a meeting with brand owners who sell products in plastic packaging to find solutions for reducing plastic waste in the Western Ghats.

What suggestions has the Madras High Court made to the brand owners for addressing plastic waste in the Western Ghats?

The court has suggested that brand owners should come up with innovative ways to distribute their products without using plastic packaging, or that shopkeepers in the region could be instructed to transfer the contents from plastic packets and sachets into disposable paper or butter paper packaging before handing them over to customers.

Home / Environment / Madras High Court Directs Stakeholders to Tackle Plastic Waste in Western Ghats

Madras High Court Directs Stakeholders to Tackle Plastic Waste in Western Ghats

Q: Which stakeholders will be involved in the meeting ordered by the Madras High Court?

The court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to invite brand owners who sell eatables, drinking water, and other products in plastic packets, sachets, and PET bottles, as well as officials from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and other relevant government departments.

25 Oct

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Summary

Madras High Court orders Tamil Nadu government to convene meeting with brand owners
Aims to find solutions to reduce plastic waste in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats
Suggests brand owners take responsibility for safe disposal and recycling of plastic packaging

Madras High Court Directs Stakeholders to Tackle Plastic Waste in Western Ghats

In a move to address the issue of harmful plastic waste in the Western Ghats, the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to convene a meeting with all stakeholders, including brand owners who sell eatables, drinking water, and other products in plastic packets, sachets, and PET bottles.

The special Division Bench of the court, which was constituted to hear forest-related cases, has instructed the Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department secretary to hold the meeting by November 14, 2025 and submit a status report by November 21. The judges have made it clear that the chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board must attend the meeting, and officials from other relevant government departments can also be invited.