Beginning April 18 this year, people will be fined Nu. 1,000 for dumping wastes into the streams, rivers, drainage systems or other water bodies. The National Environment Commission, NEC, says washing and cleaning clothes, vehicles and dumping of wastes by the river banks or into the water bodies is not allowed. Anyone found violating the rules shall be liable for both civil and criminal penalties. The NEC is also coming up with a toll free number to inform the authorities.
Washing cars along the streams is a common sight in Bhutan. Owners are seen almost every day washing their cars nonchalantly.
For instance, a small stream on the outskirts of Thimphu city is a popular site. When BBS visited this morning, a vehicle was already there. It is just by the roadside, and convenient. The driver who did not want to come on camera said he was not aware of any such rules.
“For instance in Paro, we can see notices saying we are not allowed to wash our cars, so we don’t go. But, here I see everybody washing their cars, so I also washed here,” he said.
Our reporter, Tandin Phuntsho, says that the place is filled with all kinds of waste. A few minutes later, another car came. And many more would have followed. The polluted water then flows into the river posing risks to the aquatic life and human health.
There was a rule which prohibited the people from washing their cars in the rivers, but it did not work.
“The enforcement has been little weak. And also it is not very clear who is going to implement it and monitor it,” says the Legal Office of the NEC, Kunzang.
Now with the Waste Management Act and Waste Prevention and Management Rules, it is very specific who is going to implement and monitor. “We are kind of re-enforcing it given the adverse impact from car washing into the water bodies,” he adds.
“There is no bargaining or negotiations, we are going to fine, the fine amount is Nu. 1000. If the offenders repeat, then it is going to double.”
The NEC has also notified the Dzongkhag administrations across the country to make sure the place has a car washing facility established by this year.
Thimphu Thromde is one of the implementing agencies in Thimphu. The Thrompon said it gives them a legal backing.
“We have in fact started dividing the city into 10 zones, because of the population, the kind of activities going on. So that it will be monitored by our own inspectors,” says Thrompon, Kinlay Dorjee.
The Thromde has plans to put two inspectors, which will be supported by local inspectors, who will be a local citizen of the place. “We can pay something to him and he can work for us in informing illegal construction, waste management, water or sewerage leaking, these three guys can monitor on day to day basis,”adds Kinlay Dorjee.
Waste can be seen everywhere along the river banks and the drains. The wastes make their way into the Wangchu. It is an unpleasant site near the children’s park. But will this change? Only time will tell.
