Neten Dorji

Sakteng, Trashigang—For many years, residents of Sakteng gewog in Trashigang have struggled without a proper waste disposal facility, often resorting to dumping trash in nearby forests.

A new landfill, located about one kilometre from the settlement, is set to improve waste management in the highland gewog.

As Sakteng gewog is connected with roads, developing at a rapid pace over the years, the volume of waste generated by both locals and the increasing number of visitors has also increased.

Due to the lack of a proper waste disposal facility, residents have been forced to dispose of their trash in makeshift pits below the village or in the surrounding forests.

Pema Yangzom, a local shopkeeper, said that she has to often dump Bolero truckloads of waste. “I am concerned about the environmental impact but we can’t help it.”

Rinchen Tshewang, 62, said that while some pits have been dug for waste disposal, they are quickly filled to the brim. “A landfill and a tractor to collect waste are crucial.”

New landfill under construction

Sakteng gewog is struggling with waste that is usually more prevalent in urban areas. “Even with regular cleaning campaigns by the gewog administration, schools, and the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, the lack of a proper waste disposal facility remains a major challenge,” Rinchen Dorji said.

Every month, residents participate in a community cleaning campaign, collecting between 1,000 to 2,000 kilogrammes of waste from the three chiwogs, which collectively house over 100 households.

“The gewog administration is educating people on waste management, but it is difficult to change their mindset,” Gup Tshewang Tshering said.

Currently, there are two temporary dump sites in Sakteng, but they are not sufficient for managing waste.

“We are constructing a landfill,” said the gup. “With road connectivity, waste can now be collected using tractors.”

The Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary has also provided waste bins in the past to maintain cleanliness in the village and surroundings.

Park officials have also attempted to address the waste issue by organising workshops on recycling, teaching residents to create reusable items such as lunch bags and mats from waste materials. However, these efforts have yielded limited results.

In addition to the landfill, residents are also grappling with the cultural and religious significance of waste disposal.

“Sakteng and Merak are sacred areas for Aum Jomo, and burning waste is considered disrespectful,” explained Tshering Choden, a local resident. “We are worried about our dump site filling up, but at the same time, we cannot burn waste here, as it could upset our local deity.”

While the community continues to maintain the tradition of cleaning the environment to honour their local deity, Aum Jomo, some residents continue to dispose of waste improperly, often near riverbanks.

Locals also believe that burning waste would offend Aum Jomo.

“Anything burnt in the locality seems to trigger unnatural weather changes,” said Dorji Wangdi, a 62-year-old resident. “Our local deity, Aum Jomo, protects us, and we believe that burning waste harms her, leading to bad weather and disease.”

The waste also attracts animals, such as dogs and cattle, further compounding environmental and health risks. “The garbage is scattered everywhere, and it attracts animals,” Tshering Choden said.

Pusa-Tengma Tshogpa Rinchen Khandu said that some residents have resorted to dumping waste in open areas, exacerbating the problem. “We are expecting the new landfill to help address this issue,” he said. “Monthly cleaning campaigns are no longer enough.”