By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 24: The decision of not renewing the Tibetan Settlement Office’s contract of cleaning McLeod Ganj area by Municipal Council of Dharamshala (MCD) has backfired with residents complaining of unattended and stinking piles of garbage around the hill town which has been the home to the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Municipal Council of Dharamshala earlier gave the contract to a local contractor from Dharamshala for over Rs 200,000 per month to clean Bhagsu, McLoed Ganj and Gangchen Kyisong which falls under ward 1, 2 and 3.
However, the MCD has now awarded the contract back to the Tibetan Settlement Office for 1,30000.
The official website of MCD states, “The city has not met its mandatory obligations under the Solid Waste Management Rules, and is burdened with an inefficient collection system, environmentally unsound disposal practices.”
“We had a meeting with the municipal council authorities and they have all agreed to give us the responsibility to keep our city clean once more. Moreover, all the major unions of the region have supported our case,” said Sonam Dorjee, Tibetan Settlement Officer.
“Tourism is the main source of income for us and the littered streets, blocked drains and bad odor leaves an unpleasant memories for tourists,” said Ashok, a concerned local resident.
Confirming the takeover to come into effect from September 1, Sonam Dorjee said, “Growing population, more hotels and more tourists presents us with a daunting task to keep our town clean and neat. Therefore, we have asked for more work force and funds from the concerned authority.”
With the proposed budget of Rs 1.30 lakh and bolstered work force of 20 sweepers and three drivers, the Settlement Officer is confident of replicating their last effort in keeping the hilltown tourist destination clean.
Prior to this arrangement, the welfare office managed the job with much lesser budget of Rs 97,750 per month.
The welfare office also undertakes Clean Upper Dharamshala – a waste management campaign; Green Workers – a recycling project; Paper Factory – handmade products from recycled papers; and The Green Shop – where they sell environmental friendly products and collect hazardous materials.
