News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd July 2024
Sikkim, India’s second smallest state by land area and with a population of around six lakh, is renowned for its spice cultivation and breathtaking natural beauty. As the state continues to attract tourists drawn by its cold winds and snow-capped mountains, it faces mounting challenges related to environmental sustainability. Although tourism boosts the local economy, it has also led to a rise in waste and environmental degradation, prompting the state government to introduce new regulations to address these issues.
Tourism in Sikkim has seen a steady increase, which has been beneficial for the local economy but detrimental to its ecological balance. The surge in visitors has resulted in significant waste accumulation, with plastic and garbage becoming a major concern at popular tourist spots. The local residents have expressed their frustration with the mounting waste, which has led to the implementation of a new rule aimed at curbing the problem.
In response to these environmental challenges, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Sikkim has mandated that all tourist vehicles entering the state must carry a large garbage bag. This new regulation is intended to encourage community participation in maintaining the state’s cleanliness and achieving environmental sustainability. According to the directive, tour operators, travel agencies, and drivers are responsible for ensuring that tourists are equipped with garbage bags for proper waste disposal.
Tourist vehicles will now be subject to mandatory checks to enforce this new rule. The department has emphasized that strict penalties will be imposed on those who fail to comply with the regulations, including both tourists and local tourist agents. This move aims to foster a sense of responsibility among visitors and mitigate the adverse environmental impacts caused by the influx of tourists.
In addition to this mandate, the department has launched various programs to raise awareness about waste management among tourists. Environmentalists have pointed out that issues such as landslides, which have affected areas like Gangtok, can be partly attributed to the accumulation of plastic in water bodies and the environment. To address these concerns, educational initiatives are already underway in local schools focusing on recycling and proper waste disposal.
Sikkim, despite its small population, receives approximately 20 lakh tourists annually. This disparity between the local population and the number of visitors exacerbates the problem of garbage, making effective waste management a critical issue. The new rule requiring tourists to bring their own garbage bags is a proactive measure designed to tackle this growing problem and protect the state’s natural beauty.
However, the new regulation has faced criticism on social media, with some arguing that it places undue responsibility on tourists. Despite the backlash, the state government remains committed to improving environmental conditions and ensuring that tourism does not come at the cost of ecological degradation. By implementing these measures, Sikkim aims to strike a balance between promoting tourism and preserving its pristine environment for future generations.
