Waste management continues to be a growing concern in Samdrup Jongkhar’s Samdrupcholing dungkhag. In the absence of a proper disposal facility, waste is being dumped and burned in open areas, prompting concerns about health risks and environmental impact. A waste recovery facility was set up to manage the growing waste problem. But it did not work as planned and remains closed.
As Samdrupcholing Dungkhag town grows, so does its waste. But the system to manage it is falling behind.
Every day, waste continues to pile up, raising concerns about health, hygiene, and environmental safety.
Waste dumped along the roadside attracts monkeys, which are often seen feeding on it.
Some residents dump and burn their waste in open spaces, which not only pollutes the environment but also poses serious risks to public health.
“Some people leave waste in sacks here and there, and dogs end up scattering it everywhere. It creates a mess and affects the cleanliness of the area. It would be very helpful if we had a proper waste disposal site. As shopkeepers, we cannot take our waste to a disposal site every day, so having a garbage collection truck is also very important,” said Bedha Nidhi Bishwa, a shopkeeper at Samdrupcholing, Samdrup Jongkhar.
Here, we are facing serious waste problems. We dump waste in a pit near the town, but it is already full. As a result, dogs come and scatter the waste everywhere. Even elephants are attracted to the area because of this. We really need a proper waste disposal site located far from the town,” said Tshering Zangmo, another shopkeeper at Samdrupcholing, Samdrup Jongkhar.
“We live here, and we also have to dump our waste in this area. During strong winds, the waste gets blown everywhere, making the place look very dirty. People often blame us, but the main problem is that we lack a proper waste disposal site. It would be much better if we had a proper disposal site located away from the town, along with a garbage collection truck,” said Sangay Choden, also a shopkeeper at Samdrupcholing, Samdrup Jongkhar.
The Samdrup Jongkhar District Administration has identified a site for the construction of a landfill, and residents can expect a proper waste disposal facility by June 2027.
For now, without a proper disposal site, responsible waste management by residents remains key to limiting health and environmental hazards.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
