After years of trying to keep the capital clean, Thimphu Thromde’s new CCTV surveillance system is helping identify people caught littering. Since its installation in August, 19 waste-related offenders have been fined, with their actions also made public on social media. Many residents, however, say keeping the city clean requires more than penalties and are calling for additional public bins.
Thimphu, the capital city, attracts tourists who come to experience Bhutan’s cleanliness and is home to thousands of residents. However, a lack of public bins and civic responsibility has left the city littered.
A recent post on Thimphu Thromde’s Facebook page showed people illegally dumping waste and leaving trash behind.
These acts were captured by 29 CCTV cameras installed across the city. Offenders were summoned and fined, collecting nearly 30,000 ngultrum.
According to Thimphu Thromde, repeated awareness campaigns have often gone unheeded. Officials say posting footage online was a necessary step to discourage littering.
“Illegal littering and dumping remain very visible challenges. They undermine our goal of keeping Thimphu clean and green. Bridging the gap between awareness and action is key. To reduce waste effectively, we need a shift in mindset; individual responsibility is essential,” said Sonam Wangchuk, the Chief Environment Officer with Thimphu Thromde.
Many people support the CCTV initiative, while others have raised concerns about the lack of waste disposal facilities in public spaces, such as viewpoints and busy town areas.
Dorji Norbu, a Thimphu resident said, “Thimphu attracts tourists from around the world, so keeping it clean is important. Many people still fail to manage their waste properly. I think Thromde’s CCTV initiative is a positive step. It can help curb irresponsible dumping.”
“The Thromde’s CCTV cameras make people more mindful of their actions. Without such monitoring, some individuals carelessly dump waste. Public areas often lack bins, so installing more would be very helpful,” said Gelay Thinley, another resident of Thimphu.
The Thromde office plans to add more waste bins, including dual bins, in the coming months to encourage waste segregation in public spaces.
A survey is currently underway to identify priority locations.
Thromde officials, meanwhile, say that CCTV monitoring alone cannot solve the problem. They urge residents to dispose of waste responsibly, use public bins correctly, and actively participate in keeping Thimphu cleaner and more sustainable.
Sangay Chozom & Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
