SHILLONG : East Khasi Hills bans roadside cooking, littering at tourist destinationsEast Khasi Hills District Magistrate Abhilash Baranwal has issued a prohibitory order banning roadside cooking, littering, and waste dumping at tourist destinations and public places across the district, effective from Tuesday.
The order was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, after the Tourism Department flagged a rise in violations along the Shillong–Mawkdok–Sohra Road and other key tourist spots in the district.
Officials said such activities have been triggering environmental degradation, sanitation issues, traffic congestion, and fire hazards, while also chipping away at the state’s image as a tourist destination.
Two categories of activity now stand prohibited. First, cooking with firewood, charcoal, LPG, or any other fuel on roadsides and at viewpoints is banned outright. Second, dumping of plastic, food waste, bottles, and other garbage in public places, forests, drains, and water bodies is no longer permitted.
Anyone caught violating the order will face action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The district administration has appealed to both tourists and local residents to cooperate in keeping East Khasi Hills clean and supporting responsible tourism practices.
The order took immediate effect and remains in force until further notice.