With advent of modernization there has been a paradigm shift to the mindset of all the people. The economic wants dominated the economic needs, people cost the best opportunities with pleasure and lead to shifting of the supply curve to right as the demand increases. I remember the beauty of my village 10 years ago and I see the present scenario of my developed hometown. There has been hardly three shops enough to feed the people and the places were clean and green. I was a happy boy at that time just because I love the clean environment. Gradually, the implementation of five year plans has encouraged people to go for profit making rather than subsistence kind of living. The shops grew, 3 to 5 and now more than 8 just in a small village. Though its a good sign of development where more entrepreneurs come into existence yet I am not happy because I see papers, plastics and other non-degradable waste changing the aesthetic view of place. Whose problem is it, a government, people, shop keepers or students?. If it is a problem of government how can a country develop without implementing plans and if it is a problem of shopkeepers how can a village people have good set of services. Who should be responsible and whose problem is it?
Conservation of environment one of the pillars of GNH is a major focus with country's development. The country's pristine environment is conserved with national parks and reserve making it one of the tenth biological hot-spot in the world. We are proud as a Bhutanese just because we contribute to the world with least pollution and reach environment. But, are we happy as a Bhutanese to keep a legacy to younger generation with clean and green environment? Of course, many will say 'yes' because of the maximum protected areas and country's income sources as the hydro-power. But, I feel it has to be really looked at when we see the areas being polluted with inorganic waste. Theory is easy but how many cares practically remains a question. How many dares to dump the waste to proper places and how long will we dump. Just walk and see the environment.
It was a great news when BBS broadcasted a man has come up to blacktop the roads with plastic. I as a nature lover is please to hear it. I thought many a time if I could contribute to the nation with my small ways in combating with waste. I thought of starting a greening club in my college and I share my plans with many of my friends. I was little worried if I could get help from the people because all people don't think the same way. To my surprise, with the initiative of a lecturer Madam Phuntsho Choden, the college has started to form a waste management club and it was the happiest moment and opportunity to implement my plans. I join as a member and on the very first day, I shared about my plans and concern. Madam was very pleased to hear it and replied we will do it together.
I was appointed as waste club coordinator with the support of all those 56 members. I felt that I have much integrity reserved in my emotional bank account. I committed to myself I will help the best I could. The collection of waste continue week after week and now the time has ripe to reap the fruit of all our hard work. I am really happy to see the quality and quantity of our hard work. We are waiting for the plastic dealer from Thimphu to take away our plastic to black top the roads. After all we are selling the waste.
Store of Plastic bottles
Segregated Plastic and paper packed in the sacks.
With the celebration of historic birth anniversary of fourth druk gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the waste management club has fixed as many as 12 dustbins on 11/11/2015 around the campus to combat the waste around the college.Moreover, its a small sign our respect and gratitude to his majesty for his effort in conserving the environment. We has a citizens and youth will continue to keep the pristine environment clean and green.
Dustbin fixed on the way to Mitsena
Therefore, I thank all the club members for your kind support and hard work in collecting and segregating the waste. We still have long process and have many plans to implement to keep the environment clean and green. I hope and will seek your continuous help for all endeavors ahead.
