It’s common to see waste strewn all over after a big event or festival. However, it was a different sight during the Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu that ended today. Besides managing the crowd, the DeSuups on duty this time went around collecting waste from the people during the festival. And unlike in the past, the initiative greatly helped manage waste.
After being a closed-door event for two years, the Samdrup Jongkhar Tshechu this time attracted a huge crowd. More than 5,000 people gathered to witness the annual Tshechu.
And to manage the staggering amounts of the waste left behind after such festivals, DeSuups on duty this time took a different approach. They went around collecting waste from the people.
“Many people have gathered for the Tshechu. So, we thought it would be easier to manage waste if we go and collect waste from the people ourselves by carrying sacks. This way it will help manage waste during such events,” said Leki Wangdi, a DeSuup.
“When many people gathered, it’s obvious that a lot of waste will be generated. We discussed initiating something like this. Taking sacks, every two hours, we go around collecting waste from the people. If we don’t do this then, it will be difficult to manage waste when the event is over and the waste is strewn all over,” said Thinley Phuntsho, another DeSuup.
And their efforts did not go in vain as the ground was spic and span even after a huge crowd attended the festival.
The Tshechu ended today with the unfurling of Guru Tshengye Thongdrel.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam Pem
