The commercial heart of Bhutan, Phuentsholing, is facing an escalating waste management crisis as large mounds of garbage increasingly litter various parts of the city. This widespread issue not only creates an unpleasant stench but also diminishes the city’s visual appeal, causing growing concern among residents and business owners.
Ironically, a large pile of trash has been discarded around a cleanliness notice board situated in the parking area near Gadhen Hotel, highlighting the city’s struggle with maintaining cleanliness. Local business owners are frustrated, often finding themselves at the receiving end of misplaced blame. Kanchi Raini, a restaurateur, expressed her frustration, noting that the trash near her establishment negatively impacts the hygiene and reputation of her business. “We need stricter surveillance to tackle this issue effectively,” Raini stated, lamenting that despite her efforts to clean the area each morning, it is often littered anew by the following day.
Dik Bahadur, who supplies feed to local shops, pointed out a troubling trend where some shopkeepers are leaving their waste near other businesses or in public spaces late at night. “This habit complicates our efforts to keep our own surroundings clean,” Bahadur said, reflecting a broader problem of unregulated waste disposal.
Residents have also voiced concerns over the efficiency of the thromde’s waste collection services. Some allege that the waste collection trucks frequently miss garbage left by the roadside, exacerbating the problem. Waste management in Phuentsholing is overseen by the thromde office and managed by two contractors.
In response to these challenges, Phuentsholing thromde has taken steps to improve waste management with support from the UNDP. Recently, 17 CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor illegal dumping, a measure prompted by lengthy protocols required to obtain footage from the Royal Bhutan Police. Thrompon Uttar Kumar Rai reported a decrease in illegal dumping due to these cameras and noted that penalties have been imposed on several offenders. However, Rai acknowledged that participation during the monthly ‘zero waste hour’ remains low, which hampers collective efforts to tackle the issue. “Addressing the waste problem is a shared responsibility,” Rai stressed, urging residents to report instances of littering to the thromde to bolster the city’s waste management systems.
In a related development, the medical waste incinerator at Pekarzhing Landfill is poised to become operational soon, pending the installation of spare parts by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The incinerator, which has been inactive for over a year and has only been used three times since its installation, is designed to handle 300 kilograms of waste per cycle. Funded by the UNDP with a contribution of USD 374,000, this facility is one of three installed in Bhutan, with the others in Thimphu and Mongar.
However, officials have pointed out challenges in the sustainable operation of the incinerator, including the high cost of electricity and fossil fuels, which have made ongoing operations financially burdensome. The facility has incinerated approximately 900 kilograms of waste since its installation, incurring around Nu 10,000 in fuel costs. “The high cost of fuel has made sustainable operation a significant challenge,” an official commented.
As Phuentsholing navigates these complex waste management issues, it becomes increasingly clear that effective solutions will require a collaborative effort between the thromde, local businesses, and residents to foster a cleaner, more sustainable city environment.
