Shillong, July 25: Meghalaya’s Sohra, also known as Cherrapunji, has outlawed picnicking, open cooking, and impromptu outdoor feasts by tourists amid a surge in non-biodegradable litter. Beer bottles, chip packets, plastic wrappers and cans have begun to tarnish the region’s lush landscapes and fragile ecosystems, officials said.

Ka Hima Sohra, the area’s traditional governing body, announced the prohibition to protect ecologically sensitive zones along the Mawkdok-Sohra stretch and other heritage areas under its care. Maremdor Syiem, deputy chief of Ka Hima Sohra, noted that both local residents and visitors from outside the state have been leaving behind enormous quantities of waste.

Unchecked picnic parties along the scenic Mawkdok-Sohra Road have accelerated soil erosion, clogged waterways, and threatened native flora and fauna. Under the new regulations, any gathering for open-air meals without prior permission will be subject to fines and community service.

The council urged tourists to respect the environment by carrying reusable utensils and disposing of any unavoidable waste through approved collection points. Local authorities are also stepping up patrols and installing educational signboards to reinforce the ban and promote sustainable tourism.