Haldwani, June 5 -- Uttarakhand's Corbett Tiger Reserve administration has decided to ban the use of plastic water bottles across all tourism zones from October this year as part of an initiative to make the reserve plastic- and pollution-free, forest officials said.

The announcement was made by Corbett Tiger Reserve director Saket Badola on the occasion of World Environment Day.

According to officials, the ban will come into force with the commencement of the new tourism season after the monsoon period. In place of plastic bottles, tourists visiting the reserve will be provided drinking water in reusable glass bottles.

Badola said the initiative is aimed at reducing plastic waste and preserving the reserve's fragile ecosystem.

"Touri...