Despite years of efforts and multiple initiatives, Phuentshogling Thromde continues to battle a growing waste problem. Illegal dumping and littering remain a common sight in and around the town, raising concerns over cleanliness, public health, and civic responsibility.
In the heart of the core town area, near the multi-storeyed parking, heaps of waste have become an almost daily sight. From sanitary napkins to bottles, cigarette packets, and leftover food, the area is littered with garbage.
Stray animals rip open unattended garbage bags, spreading the waste further across the parking space. Residents say the dumping usually happens under the cover of darkness, late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
Beneath parked vehicles, piles of waste and plastic are scattered across the ground, turning a prime town location into an unimaginable and deeply unsettling sight.
Wastes are dumped in every corner of the town despite littering.
The waste issue stretches far beyond the town. Nearly three kilometres away, along the Rinchending road, garbage bags and cartons overflowing with waste are dumped openly by the roadside.
An empty juice cup sits neatly tossed on the concrete by the roadside, almost as if it were placed deliberately, waiting for someone to pick it up.
The sight silently tells a story of neglect and a worrying lack of civic responsibility.
According to Thromde officials, they have tried every means to curb the issue and are now asking the public to cooperate.
“We strictly monitor the garbage trucks to make sure they go around on time. And for the office goers and business people who cannot be home when the garbage trucks come, we have installed waste drop-in centres as well. We also have waste vending machines to recycle. Now the responsibility does not entirely fall on the thromde. Our people should come together and cooperate,” said Uttar Kumar Rai, Phuentshogling Thrompon.
The thromde has also turned to CCTV cameras in an effort to curb the growing waste problem, but managing waste continues to be a major challenge.
The Thrompon said that even designated smoking areas across the town have become convenient dumping spots. With most measures exhausted, thromde officials are now appealing for public cooperation and warn that, if necessary, they may have no choice but to resort to naming and shaming offenders.
“So far, we have not done naming and shaming of those who throw garbage and litter the town. But if people do not cooperate in keeping the town clean, we will have to start naming and shaming because we have tried every way to curb this waste issue and nothing helped much,” added Uttar Kumar Rai, Phuentshogling Thrompon.
The thromde recently inaugurated a waste drop-off centre in Rinchending. If successful, there are plans to set up similar facilities in other areas as well.
Phuentshogling’s battle with waste is far from over, but with public support, officials said the town can be restored from a dumping ground to cleaner spaces
Kinley Dem
Edited by Kipchu
