Waste removal begins near Geyzing-Sakyong road after SE report on reckless dumping

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING, : A cleanup drive has begun at the waste dumping site between Reythang cliff and the Christian community graveyard along the Geyzing–Sakyong road. This follows recent media reports highlighting the reckless disposal of domestic waste in the area, which is steep, landslide-prone and poses a serious environmental risk.

The cleanup initiative, launched on Tuesday, is being led by Geyzing BDO Garap Dorjee Bhutia, in collaboration with Geyzing Nagar Panchayat (GNP) and Geyzing-Omchung Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU). Authorities said that the site where garbage was found scattered about 40 meters down a gorge will require a comprehensive and carefully planned effort for complete waste removal.

The waste, which many claim originates from the bazar area rather than surrounding villages, was partially collected and sent to a landfill on the first day of the operation.

BDO Bhutia emphasized that waste management is a shared responsibility and urged the public not to dispose of domestic waste in isolated locations.

It may be mentioned here that the area where waste has been dumped just nearby Geyzing bazaar falls under Geyzing-Omchung GPU under Geyzing block and not under GNP. However, taking cognizance of the report and directives from higher ups, GNP (not an urban civic body) has also come forward to lend support for the cleanliness initiative being conducted at the site.

GNP bazar officer Kesangla Sherpa clarified that GNP is not an urban civic body and the site where the waste has been carelessly dumped falls under Geyzing-Omchung GPU instead of GNP. He maintained that GNP has been dealing with waste management issues in Geyzing bazar in a precise and systematic way by utilizing the available resources, workforce and facilities.  "As assumed incorrectly, GNP is not an urban civic body and the site where waste was carelessly dumped does not fall under GNP but Geyzing-Omchung GPU", Sherpa said.

Zilla panchayat member Sagar Sharma and GPU members inspected the site. Sharma asserted that the concerned GPU would also take necessary steps for removal of waste from the site and would further chalk out an effective initiative to thwart the people from dumping their domestic waste at the site in future.

Some members of GNP and Geyzing Omchung GPU pressed for involvement of local civic bodies or local social organizations for curbing the practices of abandoning waste at isolated places. They maintained that the legal actions and penalties against the defaulters could be a deterrent to end such malpractices of throwing waste recklessly at desolate places.

Geyzing BAC and GNP are likely to launch an action against the defaulters in the matter as evidence in the form of tags of online shopping belonging to individuals, receipts in some forms and other items were collected from the waste today.