Neten Dorji

Lhuentse’s Khoma Gewog’s growing local tourism is making an impact—not only with the increasing number of visitors but also with the rising waste generated by tourism services.

Recently, locals collected two bolero truckloads truckloads of non-degradable waste, highlighting the growing environmental challenge.

Shacha Wangchuk, Roelmateang-Tsango Tshogpa, said that the amount of waste around the site had increased with the rising number of visitors.

“While some pilgrims responsibly take back their trash, others show little regard for the environment and leave their trash behind,” he said. “Though there are waste bins along the trail, many visitors do not use them.”

Nima La, a villager, said that if the situation is not addressed quickly, the increasing waste could harm the country’s image.

“There is a need for individual responsibility more than cleaning campaigns,” said Nima La.

Villagers observe regular clean-up days to maintain the area, but the waste problem continues to grow, especially during the pilgrim season when as many as 400 people visit the Singye Dzong.

Down the Khoma village, the small landfill is already overflowing, with waste being scattered by stray dogs.

Dhuen Dhen, a shopkeeper, expressed concerns about the environmental impact.

“We are concerned about the environmental impact and are trying to segregate as much as we can before going to the landfill,” he said.

He said that pilgrims often dumped waste near the village’s parking area, further exacerbating the problem.

Another Shopkeeper,  Phuntsho, said that keeping the environment around the village and the trekking trails clean was a problem as pilgrims did not dispose of their waste properly.

“We clean the trails and the surrounding areas whenever we can, but it is difficult for gewog to clean all the time,” he said.

Currently, Khoma Gewog charges Nu 100 per person for those who go on a pilgrimage to Singye Dzong to manage the waste.

According to the National Waste Management Strategy 2019, various agencies, including the road department and the tourism council, are responsible for cleaning roads and managing waste along trekking routes.

Khoma Gup Tshering Wangdi said it was every visitor’s responsibility to manage the waste.

“Waste is becoming a big problem in our community. Both locals and visitors often dump waste carelessly. The  Gewog Administration is trying to educate people about waste management, but changing their habits is not easy,” he said.

The Gewog Administration has allocated a budget to increase the height of the landfill to accommodate more waste.