Waste management still remains a challenge, especially in rural places where people remain mostly unaware. And Sarpang is no exception as the district is confronted with a number of waste issues. But a youth group called the Youth Advocacy Network Bhutan in partnership with the district administration is engaging people in the district specifically the youth in addressing waste problems.
12 youth from Dekiling, Gelephu and Samtenling Gewogs recently took part in the community waste solution dialogue. The programme aims to educate, connect and empower the young people.
The participants have to identify the waste issues in the community and also come up with their solutions.
According to the participants, some of the waste issues in their gewogs are lack of waste bins and recycling facilities and lack of cooperation from the public.
“There aren’t as much waste disposal facilities like in the town area, there are no waste bins where we can dispose our garbage,” said Rajen Gurung.
“We have a school in the gewog and because of the high population, a lot of waste is generated,” said Lal Kumar Gurung.
The youth participants also committed to contribute in their ways such as place waste bins in required places, coordinate a public initiative to collect wastes and even hire boleros to drop wastes to the dump yards.
“There is no space for people to participate. That’s why this community waste solution dialogue is carried out at a grassroot level in every gewog. So, people get space to participate and come together and talk about waste issues and further communicate with their local leaders. So, in this manner people are involved and they are part of the solution,” said Tshedrup Dorji.
So far, the group has conducted such dialogues in six gewogs. The programme is expected to resume in the remaining six gewogs once the lockdown in the district is lifted and the situation improves.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
