Managing and Reducing waste in tourist destinations and pilgrimage sites is challenging. However, one such place, the Hot Spring in Gasa, which is well known for its healing powers, has managed to maintain a clean environment today.
Every Friday is a cleaning day at the Gasa Hot Spring area. A visitor from every guest house at the site gathers early in the morning to begin the cleaning campaign.
The manager of the Hot spring makes sure that everyone is present. And this system started in June 2016.
“The public is supportive and cooperating with us so far saying that Tshachhu is also like one of the treatment centres and holy places. If we need to live healthy, it’s important to take care of our environment. So, we are prioritising waste management works and everything is going well so far,” said Tandin Dorji, the Manager of the Hot Spring.
“It is important to take care of our own wastes. Since there are so many visitors here, the risk of waste getting out of control is high. We feel happy when we see the place clean. Of course, I can see almost all are taking care of their own wastes now. However, there are few who litters unknowingly,” said Namgay Dorji, a visitor.
“It is encouraging to see people from outside participating in cleaning activities in the Hot spring area because it is not a simple job that our people can do it. So, we all can join together to keep our environment clean. It is always good to see the environment clean,” said Tshechu, a resident of Khatoed Gewog in Gasa.
Taking the initiative seriously, visitors collect wastes from every corner of the campus. After two hours of cleaning, the group gather yet again for the final attendance.
“We collect a security deposit from the people while coming here and we are informing them to manage their wastes and dispose it to the designated places. Likewise, we also sensitise them about how to soak in the hot spring as some people rub their body inside the ponds making the water dirty. So, we are handing over the room key only after giving all this awareness. Moreover, we impose a fine of Nu 500 if anyone fails to attend the cleaning campaign,” said the manager.
But he said people are still found littering the campus. And apart from waste collection, the management is also monitoring the cleanliness in the soaking ponds.
Changa Dorji, Gasa
