The sale of water and soft drinks in plastic bottles under a 5-litre capacity in Kodaikanal will invite a green tax of Rs 20 per bottle from now on. Tourists, residents, and shops who possess or sell plastic bottles will be forced to pay the amount imposed by the Dindigul district authorities.

The move came in the backdrop of the Madras High Court's direction to make Kodikanal plastic-free. The committees formed at the district, zonal and panchayat levels, under the guidance of the High Court, will conduct surprise inspections at business establishments, eateries and others on a regular basis. 

Further, checkpoints will be established at the entry points of Kodaikanal to ensure that plastic water bottles are not brought from outside. The initiative will have the support of the police department, forest department, and local bodies in the area.

Back in 2019, the Madras High Court extended the ban imposed by it on carrying disposable plastic bottles and wrappers into Kodaikanal. It has directed the Tamil Nadu government to implement the ban at both the hill stations as littering of plastic waste was causing great damage to the pristine ecology.