Cleaning Program in Ladakh

Posted on 23. Apr, 2009 by Abhishek Daga in Ladakh

The green land masses and snow covered mountain tops of Ladakh have invariably been treaded by trekkers, scholars and tourists for centuries. For adventure seekers especially, this place is paradise on earth. But it has not always been home to such humongous crowd.

Ladakh boasts of culture which was under seclusion for a very long time. Unexposed to the qualms of globalization, when it opened its doors for the outsiders it faced many threats and challenges. Although tourism is an economic subordinate which has flourished in last couple of decades, it has caused hazardous damage to the environment.

The trekkers especially are to be blamed as they tend to leave behind tones of garbage in form of polythene bags, soft drink can etc. In places like the Nubra valley in Ladakh, tourists cut bushes for fuel. This encourages de-forestation which might have grave consequences in the long run.

In several other regions of Ladakh water contamination is a serious issue. It occurs due to sewage and drainage disposal causing stomach ailments and various other water-borne diseases.

A wake up call comes in the form of organizations that take initiatives towards restoring the beauty of Ladakh. Several tour agencies are engaged in organizing cleanliness programs every year. The advantage of such tour agencies is that they have an in-depth understanding of the various routes and destinations of Ladakh. They pay proper attention to formulate the trips as they are aware of the local people and the culture of Ladakh.

Some of the reputed companies organize yearly cleaning drives collecting tones of garbage along the trek king routes between Lamayuru an d Padum in Zanskar.

A similar sort of program is carried out by The Wildlife Department and Youth Association for Conservation and Development in May 2008 between Chilling and Nimalung in Markha Valley.

Both have a dual objective; to rid the routes of the rubbish the trekkers leave behind and to create awareness among the villagers about the importance of cleanliness.

Promoting Green Tourism can be included as part of cleanliness drive. Since 1974, 15000 foreigners visit Ladakh every year. Although Ladakh attracts travelers for its mystic beauty and spiritual monasteries, the tourists tend to misuse and destroy Ladakhi culture.

To overcome this flaw, the tour operators encourage local culture while protecting natural resources. They encourage tourists to live and dine with the locals. This has two advantages; one it brings income to the people without disrupting traditional activities and second sustainable developmental activities can take place without disturbing its ecology.

At turtles pace:

Below are a few meaningful suggestions to the tourists as well as the state in order to mutually achieve the objective of keeping Ladakh green and clean.

• State governed activities should be run in the wake of supporting the cleanliness drive. An entrance fees should be charged to the tourists who visit the countryside. Out of the amount collected as such, 50% should be distributed to the nearby villages. The money procured this way can be utilized for construction in the Ladakhi countryside which in turn will help accommodate foreigners in their traditional life-style.

• The tourists should be more cautious about using the natural resources. They should use minimalist wood for fuel and use more of dead wood.

• They should try avoiding smoking while trekking along the villages.

• They should carry re-cycle bags which are easy to carry and dispose off after use. At camp sites they should bury all the bio-degradable rubbish and excreta with earth or leaves.

If each one of us considers protection and cleanliness to be our utmost moral duties, it won’t be far before we re-instate the lost beauty of this marvelous place.