Manali: The Plastic Heaven

A few days back, I was in a famous hill station in India, Manali. It has got a cool climate, fabulous hills and trees, apart from other attractions. It draws a large number of people for the holiday season. With it comes the malaise of plastic and cans thrown all around and drowning the place. Every touristy road is littered with wrappers of chips and cola cans and much more. So much, so that after a while plastic litter is the dominant thing about the place that one notices. Needless to add that it detracts so much from the charm of the place. I will never think of visiting Manali for a vacation, at least, not in the tourist season (this time I was there because it is on the way to Ladakh).

And one wonders what is the way out? All those who keep their homes spotlessly clean, litter with abandon on the streets! One day, if I have the time and the money, I wish to form a group of volunteers and clean up a small area in some place (or as large as we can) after the tourist season is over.