Tendrel for Environment, a nine-week-long nationwide cleaning competition was launched today. The programme was initiated to advocate the importance of waste management. Waste has been a problem for decades and its management continues to be an uphill task.
To commemorate the 42nd birth anniversary of His Majesty The King, 22 teams consisting of 15 members each across the 20 districts started cleaning campaigns.
“Today after the launch of the programme, we are carrying on the cleaning campaign across the 20 districts. We have enthusiastic youth as volunteers dedicated to cleaning their surroundings to help the country clean and fulfil the aspirations of our Majesties,” said Trulku Jigthub, the President of Tendrel for Environment.
The competition will be streamed on Songyala Trotoen, an OTT platform.
“We are going to do our best to clean and collect waste. But rather than just disposing it somewhere we will send it back to manufacturing industries,” said Sonam Dorji, the Coordinator of Tendrel for Environment.
“It takes one thousand years for even one plastic to decompose. So, if we manage to pick up just one plastic, it will not only benefit today but for many years to come,” said Dr Dechen Zangmo, the Chairperson of Tendrel for Environment.
The National Environment Commission is supporting Dzongkhai Rigtsel and Bumrip Creations’, the organisers of the competition. They said the competition is the first of its kind.
According to the national waste inventory survey 2019, Bhutan generated more than 170 tonnes of waste daily. That is more than seventeen truckloads every day.
Several campaigns were organized in the past but with very little change. Will this one make a difference, only time will tell.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho