Geographically, Wangdue is located within
strategic point and it is portal entry for 17 Dzongkhags. It is also route for many
significant cultural sites and access point for habitat of many globally
significant fauna species. However, with rapid increase in population and
ongoing hydroelectric projects contributed substantial accumulation of wastes
particularly solid wastes littering within and outside State Reserved Forest
land. It is evident that, knowingly or unknowingly many road
users dump waste within the State Reserved Forest land and right off
highways despite of considerable efforts being made by many agencies and other
entities in tackling waste-related problems. This jeopardizes Bhutan's reputation as a clean and green
country, which could affect tourism, one of the key target sectors for economic
growth. Above all, it poses serious threats to wildlife health and hygiene due
to contamination of air, water and soil.
As such, inadequate management of solid waste is one of the issue arising either due to ineffective advocacy or improper planning. Rapid increase in volume and types of solid waste may be as a result of continuous economic growth, urbanization and industrialization, which are becoming a burgeoning problem for government to ensure effective management.
The field survey carried out within 20 waste prone areas found out that 626.856 acres of State Reserved Forest Land has been severely infested by solid wastes under Wangdue Forest Division. Similarly, the poor solid waste management practices heavily impacted the environment, well-being, and quality of life. In view of the continuing legacy of poor solid waste management, the National Environment Commission Secretariat passed the Waste Management and Management Regulation in 2012 under the Act of 2009. The Rules mandate, not only towns and cities of Bhutan, but also within and outside State Reserved Forests Land to implement improved systems of solid waste management. Still the implementation remains extremely weak. The principal reasons may be non-compliance, lack of technical knowledge, lack of people’s participation, and financial resources.
However, our office still anticipate that the constraint of financial resources may be alleviated with on-going Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority to advocate our communities on solid waste management, so that we can always enjoy our pristine and serene environment at all times to come.
As such, inadequate management of solid waste is one of the issue arising either due to ineffective advocacy or improper planning. Rapid increase in volume and types of solid waste may be as a result of continuous economic growth, urbanization and industrialization, which are becoming a burgeoning problem for government to ensure effective management.
The field survey carried out within 20 waste prone areas found out that 626.856 acres of State Reserved Forest Land has been severely infested by solid wastes under Wangdue Forest Division. Similarly, the poor solid waste management practices heavily impacted the environment, well-being, and quality of life. In view of the continuing legacy of poor solid waste management, the National Environment Commission Secretariat passed the Waste Management and Management Regulation in 2012 under the Act of 2009. The Rules mandate, not only towns and cities of Bhutan, but also within and outside State Reserved Forests Land to implement improved systems of solid waste management. Still the implementation remains extremely weak. The principal reasons may be non-compliance, lack of technical knowledge, lack of people’s participation, and financial resources.
However, our office still anticipate that the constraint of financial resources may be alleviated with on-going Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority to advocate our communities on solid waste management, so that we can always enjoy our pristine and serene environment at all times to come.
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