The people of Ramjar Gewog in Trashi Yangtse are not happy with a blacktop mixing plant located in Wangringmo. They complain of air pollution from the plant and potential damages to crops in the future. Ramjar Gup raised their concerns in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
The leaves on the plants near the machinery are wilting. This, according to the people is due to the smoke from the mixer. Besides the smoke, the place is also dusty due to the regular traffic of blacktop delivery trucks.
Although the plant is set up in the owner’s private land in Yalang Gewog, most of the farmlands belong to the people of Ramjar Gewog.
The dust and smoke from the machinery have not yet affected the chilli and vegetable plantation but people are worried that the pollutants will affect their crops in the long run.
“Trashi Yangtse’s first green chillies are grown at Wangringmo and most farmers of Ramjar cultivate vegetables there. Such machinery damages the environment and even affects our crops and vegetables. Right now people are not feeling the direct impact of the plant as damages are yet to occur on crops. There’s only air pollution currently but it will have wider consequences with time,” said Phurpa Gyeltshen, Ramjar Gup.
“The effects of the plant will be felt to a greater extent in the future. The surrounding plants and trees have already started drying up and darkening. So, it is for sure that the damages will slowly spread towards the farmland,” said Sonam, Yalang Gup.
The plant proprietor said so far he has not received any complaints on crop damages. He also said that the plant has pollution control equipment to mitigate air pollution. He said the plant is set up temporarily.
Meanwhile, the Dzongkhag Environment Committee said though the public was not consulted, they provided the environment clearance as no settlements were found near the plant. Moreover, they added that the site is privately owned. They also said they monitor the facility regularly except in the last few months as the Environment Officer has left for studies.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu asked the committee to look into the matter and submit a report.
“We have asked the Dzongkhag administration to urgently check how the clearances were provided and whether the operator has followed all protocols while installing the plant. The administration has to submit a report in the next Dzongkhag Tshogdu session but we have requested them to start the inspection right away as people have started their farm works. We hope they would work on it as soon as possible,” said Cheku, Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson.
The plant was set up last year. It supplies blacktop mixture for the ongoing Chazam to Trashi Yangtse highway blacktopping works.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
