The Munnar grama panchayat is set to levy a surcharge on tourist vehicles reaching the hill station from this Onam season.

A panchayat committee meeting held on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) approved the decision to collect the fee, which, the authorities say, is a move to tackle the mounting garbage crisis in the region.

Munnar panchayat president S. Vijayakumar said the surcharge will be collected from the upcoming Onam festival season. He said hundreds of tourist vehicles reach the hill station daily and most of them leave by evening, often leaving behind large amounts of waste.

“The local body receives no income from these tourists, yet we are responsible for managing the waste they leave behind,” Mr. Vijayakumar said. “Waste treatment is a serious issue for the panchayat, and the surcharge revenue will be used entirely for waste management efforts.”

The panchayat plans to set up “green check-posts” with the support of various authorities. Proposed locations include the area near the Devikulam toll plaza, the forest check-post at Chatta Munnar, and Pallivasal. Mr. Vijayakumar said if hurdles arise to the collection at the check-posts, the panchayat will collect the fees directly. He added that the initiative has already received huge public support.

Environmentalists have welcomed the move, noting that a surcharge and zero-waste initiative have been long-pending demands to ensure that the destination remains garbage-free.

R. Mohan, president of the Munnar Environment and Wildlife Society (MEWS), suggested that a scientific study be conducted before its implementation. “If a mobile app is developed, tourists could register their arrival and pay the surcharge online,” Mr. Mohan said. “The health of the mountains in Munnar is the wealth of the plains,” he said.

Mr. Mohan further noted that local wildlife, especially wild elephants, are a prime attraction at the hill station, but they are currently under threat due to the waste. “Due to illegal dumping, wild animals are eating vegetable waste mixed with plastic from the treatment plant. Installing green check-posts and ensuring proper waste treatment will help in conserving local wildlife,” he said.

According to officials, the nearby Kanthalloor panchayat collects a similar surcharge. Currently, Munnar sees 2,000 to 2,500 tourist vehicles daily, a number that swells to between 5,000 and 6,000 on weekends and holidays, often resulting in hours-long traffic congestion.