Bhutan’s mountainous regions are feeling the effects of climate change and a growing waste problem. To help protect the fragile environments, a team of volunteers carried out a cleaning campaign along the Snowman Trek route from Taktsimakha in Gasa to Bumthang. With financial support from the Department of Tourism, the team completed the campaign on Wednesday, collecting 189 sacks of waste. The initiative is part of preparations for the upcoming Snowman Race.
Gembo Dorji, founder of CleanWave, led the campaign with 17 volunteers from various agencies. The team began the 19-day campaign on the 24th of last month.
According to Gembo, much of the waste collected consisted of empty beverage bottles and other non-biodegradable items left along the trail. The team also found large amounts of waste in villages along the route.
Transporting the waste was another challenge. The volunteers used around 30 horses to carry supplies and waste. The waste was then transported to Punakha for proper disposal.
“We should engage residents and clean together, as they are the ones living in and using these areas. We can continue conducting cleaning campaigns in the future, but that may create the impression that others will always clean up after them. By involving the community, it helps instil a greater sense of responsibility and ownership towards keeping their environment clean.”
He added that Bhutan’s reputation as a clean and environmentally conscious country could be at risk if the growing waste problem is not addressed.
“There is a lot of waste in the villages, even in small streams nearby. For example, there is a stream filled with waste. But we couldn’t clean it this time. However, if we get funding or support from the government, I want to go back and clean that. It was not the same in the past. Now the waste is everywhere. There is waste like that in water, and we have to consume the same water downstream.”
The Department of Tourism said it is increasing its focus on the Snowman Trek this year. The department has supported similar cleaning campaigns along the Drukpath trek route, the Dagala Thousand Lake Trek and several other trekking routes across the country.
“For this financial year, we are focusing and spending more funds on the snowman trek. This year, we are organising the snowman race, and as a part of preparation for the race, we are organising the cleaning campaigns and also conducting awareness for the people living along the trek routes,” said Pema Samdup, Tourism Officer, Department of Tourism, Thimphu.
Meanwhile, the Lunana Gewog Administration says it regularly conducts awareness programmes on proper waste management and discourages littering. According to the gup, residents either burn their waste or bury it to keep the area clean.
Changa Dorji & Devika Pradhan
Edited by Sonam Pem
