Hold cleanliness drive in Koksar, officials told

Tribune News Service

Dipender Manta

Mandi, April 9

Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB) member secretary Apoorv Devgan has directed the Keylong Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to expedite the transfer of material recovery facility waste management site in favour of the panchayat concerned in order to develop it at the earliest in the Lahaul valley.

Devgan today conducted a field inspection of the MRF (material recovery facility) waste management site at Koksar in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti. He was accompanied by the Keylong SDM, the Kullu HPPCB Regional Officer and Pradeep Sangwan, M/s Healing Himalayas founder and promoter.

Koksar panchayat pradhan and Sissu panchayat up-pradhan were also present during the inspection.

Devgan said there were complaints about dumping of litter into the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, which posed a threat to the riverine ecology of the Lahul valley.

Devgan conducted a second inspection in and around tourist facilities at the Sissu helipad. With the start of the tourist season, the Koksar and Sissu areas are witnessing a heavy influx of tourists. Earlier, the opening of the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway in October 3, 2020, had led to a spurt in construction of more commercial establishments and increase in the floating population of the area.

“There is a spurt in waste generation, which requires scientific disposal. Currently, one vehicle of SADA transports garbage from the Lahaul valley to the Manali waste treatment plant located at Rangri,” Devgan said.

Devgan and other officials inspected cleanliness and littering along tourist facilities in Koksar and Sissu panchayats and issued instructions for managing waste.

He directed officials to conduct a cleanliness drive within one month to clear waste in and around tourist facilities. He told officials to initiate awareness campaigns to educate tourists, local public, tourism stakeholders and commercial establishments, especially dhabas about keeping the area clean and persuade them to segregate waste at source for its scientific disposal.

He directed officials to enforce the ban on identified single use plastic (SUP) items strictly, which was effective since July 1, 2022. The team also confiscated some SUP items from commercial establishments.

Devgan said, “Local people and commercial establishments have started using bio-degradable cutleries and cups in their day-to-day life.” He gave directions to the local authorities to impose fines, if necessary, on tourists and local residents for littering in tourist places.

Threat to riverine ecology

There are rampant complaints about throwing litter into the Chandra and Bhaga rivers. This poses a threat to the riverine ecology of the Lahaul valley. — Apoorv Devgan, member secretary,HPSPCB

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