Uttarakhand’s Strict Rule Against littering and Some Other Strict laws Around The World.

Cleanliness is a must for any tourist spot, and its lack at Indian travelling spots often becomes an issue of debate and discussion. To ensure that some of the best travelling spots in the country can rid themselves of such issues, the Uttarakhand government has implemented a new rule.

Under the new rule all vehicles that enter Uttarakhand would have to be equipped with a garbage bag as well as dustbins. The measure was aimed at ensuring that the tourist spots stay clean and tidy and visitors refrain from visiting them while travelling.

In a recent meeting, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi spoke about the importance of such a rule and how it was important to improve the cleanliness and natural beauty of the places. As per his words, the regulation is to be implemented rigorously, and to ensure such compliance, departments have been asked to conduct inspections and examinations at checkpoints near entry points to the city and tourist spots.

The step is part of a broader strategy to protect and secure the environment of Uttarakhand. To further cement the presence of such rules the transport department has sought cooperation from police authorities of neighbouring states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Under this policy, all vehicles passing the state border would be inspected for and asked to keep garbage bags as well as dustbins for the wastage that might accumulate during the trip. Only vehicles which are able to fulfill the set conditions would be allowed to further get a trip card and enter into the city.  All this is done to discourage passengers from discarding waste along tourist locations and other areas that people generally visit.

A Similar Case in Goa

Facing a similar situation Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has proposed amendments to existing legislation to impose strict penalties for illegal garbage dumping at tourist spots and by the road. Under the new rules vehicles that cause any kind of violations in the amended rules would be fined and charged with heavy penalties. The aim is simple, and within reach, and with such rigorous establishments of laws, there would surely be support in case of violators.

While these decisions are in the good faith of the people and sustainable travelling a lot of other countries have a bunch of rules and regulations that might seem it intrusive. Here are a few of the weirdest laws and regulations that travellers have to follow while visiting different countries. While our residents have found the simple rules to not litter hard to follow these rules might seem a stretch at best.

No smoking or Drinking in Public while in Ukraine

Public drinking has been a nuisance in India, even after the stipulation of the most stringent laws travellers are often found drinking in Public. Rather it has become an act of novelty to drink in public. But not so in Ukraine. If any traveller or resident is found drinking or smoking while in a public area, they would be prosecuted. Public areas include playgrounds, government buildings, busses, trains and transportation is officially banned.

Thailand and its Ban on E-cigarettes and Other Nicotine Carriers

Vaporising nicotine carriers such as E-Cigarettes and e-refills are not allowed to be used or even be carried in any parts of Thailand. If found on personnel, they would be confiscated, and the traveller or resident who might be found carrying the e-cigarette might face fines or imprisonment for up to 10 years under certain circumstances.  

Thailand has further banned smoking across 24 beaches including locations such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi. The official statement from the authorities of Thailand stated that these have been certain proactive steps that have been implemented to safeguard the coastal environment of Thailand. 

Bhutan and its Ban on Tobacco

Bhutan has taken things a step ahead with its all-encompassing ban on tobacco in the country.  This as per the officials has been done to protect the environment and keep the mountain air pure. The country has enacted one of the most rigorous and stringent laws regarding tobacco use. Selling and use of cigarettes has been completely banned here in Bhutan. In case you are found doing any of the above you can face imprisonment and charges against yourself.

A Complete Ban on Codeine in Japan  

A certain class of drugs that contain codeine as an active ingredient in its composition have been completely banned in Japan. Mainly, these include Vicks Inhalers, painkillers and several other pain-pacifying drugs that might cause you to be deported or held in detention. Further, if a traveller is found carrying these items while entering the country they might face challenges or issues as well. Violators can face issues while travelling as well.

Chewing Gum Ban in Singapore

In Singapore, it’s a criminal offence to chew chewing gum unless you can prove that you are doing so for medicinal purposes. If any traveller or resident is found chewing gum for any reason, he or she would be fined 1000$. If in case you continue to do so, the second offence would cost you about 2000$, along with community service implications. Further, if you are found littering or spitting, you would be subjected to similar fines or community service based on the judgement of the local law authorities.

Spitting in Barcelona

A act that can be witnessed around with ease in India is considered a vile act in Barcelona and if you are caught spitting or hawking in a public place in Barcelona you would be fined and charged with an offence. You would have to provide for steep fines and might even be charged with community service that is if you are a resident. When you are not a resident but a traveller the charged offences might be a little different or you.

Feeding Pigeons in Venice

An act that is often considered to be a good omen in India is a full-fledged crime in Venice.  As per the local authorities, the pigeon droppings are detrimental to the properties and can cause airborne diseases. Anyone found feeding the pigeons would face charges and fines.

Changing a Bulb By yourself is illegal in Australia

Under Victorian law, changing a bulb by yourself would lead to a fine of 10 Australian Dollars. However, there have been revisions in the law. Official statements state that it is probably best to let the professionals handle this issue. Removing a bulb and removing a plug from a socket were specifically exempted from this requirement under the order council in G17.

Illegal to Break Wind?

One of the most weirdest laws that we have encountered has to be this one from California, it was written and added into the rule book manual in the 1800s but did not become a full-fledged law.  The law was insinuated under the open-ended statement of a law requiring people to prohibit themselves from all activities that might annoy the community or corrupt public morals. The law has long been forgotten and hence it has over time become a running joke amongst people.

Illegal to own a dog if these regulations are not met with

In Turin Italy, if a dog owner does not take their dog for a walk three times a day they would be fined up to 500 pounds. This law is considered to be an extension of Italy’s image as an

animal-loving nation and hence in many countries and cities stray cats and dogs are protected by the national laws.

The enforcement of the law would rely on tips by neighbours. there are pretty stringent laws on how Goldfishes cannot be bought or sold in plastic bags. While the laws might make sense in terms of the image Itals has but they do seem a little eccentric to foreigners.

Free Use Toilets in Scotland

In Scotland, if a citizen in need of a toilet asks to use the restroom at any establishment, be it a house, an eatery, or any other establishment, the owners cannot deny them. This is an extension of an old Scottish law regarding common hospitality. This is one of the most welcome steps that any country can take for its citizens' basic needs.

Illegal to Forget Your Wife’s Birthday

In Samoa if you forget your wife's Birthday it might land you into a world of hurt with a warning and then a sentence, its unclear how long the sentence might be but it an lead to serious issues.

Legal Requirement to Own a Burial Plot in France

There has been a passed edict in the French law that forbids people from dying within the town limits in case they haven’t bought a burial found for themselves first. What kind of punishments would follow for someone who has died before buying a burial land are still unclear. It was the mayor of Sarpourenx who introduced the law as a consequence of his parish failing to procure more land for an increase in the land available for burial plots.  The mayor apologized for the statements later, and the town actually only had 260 residents at the time, so the execution of such a law in a smaller pool of people seemed like an idea that could be completed.

All these laws that have been enlisted above would put into perspective the importance and earnestness that has gone in implementing the Uttarakhand law. And as a self-driving vehicle provider, we stand in unity with the new no littering law that has been passed by the government to conserve the biodiversity as well as the flora and fauna of the city.  As a vehicle provider, we have taken proactive steps to ensure that such degradation of natural bodies does not take place wherever our vehicles travel to. Here are a few steps we take to ensure that our users and vehicles can help maintain eco-friendliness.

• We keep all our vehicles well maintained to ensure that they emit lower pollution and co2 emissons.
• We don’t use vehicles beyond the age of 15 years as permitted by the government.
• We try and educate our riders about sustainable tourism through our website posts and other social media platforms.
• We inform all our riders to not litter when they reach their destination, we also provide them with disposable garbage bags for more convenience.
• Our tour captains take due action against littering when on tours and travels across India.

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