By: Nandita Aron
Shimla: So much has been said and done about keeping our hills clean, right from banning plastic to imposing fines, but the Himachali landscape is not yet free from litter. Perhaps, we will have to wait for some more time to see the results, but for the time being the government should pay attention towards the mess the tourist season leaves behind in the state.
With thousands of tourists pouring in from across the world to Himachal during summers, hill
Photo: Mohit Behl
towns in the state witness a steep rise in tourists, providing excellent business opportunities for the locals, but the downside of “atithi devo bhava” is that mountains of garbage get accumulated and popular spots are strewn with litter. A typical example is the Mall Road, which is lined with leftover food being trotted under feet, empty soft drink cans, paper plates and various other things these days. Garbage bins are overflowing with dirt, sewage tracks on the roadside are blocked with rotting fruits, while monkeys are thriving on all this and becoming a menace for local people as well as tourists. Also, cases of eve teasing and theft increase as authorities fail to maintain proper law and order during this season.
Since nothing much can be done about controlling tourist flow into the state, the government should ensure that extra effort is put on maintaining cleanliness and
law and order during summer months. Government’s decision to raise tourist police is appreciable, but effort should also be made to encourage an army of youths volunteers who can take up cleanliness drives during summers as a crusade. All schools and colleges should also encourage such drives on a regular basis to inculcate the habit among the youths early in life.
To preserve and maintain the beauty of our beloved state, a conscious effort needs to be made at ground level by each and every person. If you see a person throwing leftovers on the road, request him/her to throw it in a bin. Discourage feeding monkeys on streets. Do not spit a chewing gum on roadsides. Your health is your responsibility. Be responsible, be happy.
Absolutely in agreement with you . You have done a very good thing by supplying visual evidence as well . I feel this site must have an exclusive section dedicated to photo-features . I stopped visiting Simla long ago for the very reason you've given here . If locals don't arise it will turn into a big garbage-heap soon !
Absolutely in agreement with you . You have done a very good thing by supplying visual evidence as well . I feel this site must have an exclusive section dedicated to photo-features . I stopped visiting Simla long ago for the very reason you've given here . If locals don't arise it will turn into a big garbage-heap soon !
Sad to hear about Shimla's litter problem. Shimla looked remarkably clean on all my visits, compared to Mcleodganj where I'm based. But I've not been to Shimla in the height of summer. Mcleodganj unfortunately suffers from this problem all year round, and the blame can be squarely put on the locals. They are the worst offenders. Of course tourists are also dropping their trash anywhere but in a bin. These rubbish bins are very scarce and becoming scarcer as time goes on. For some reason, instead of putting up more bins, quite a few have been removed!
A few times I politely pointed out to litterers that they shouldn't just drop stuff on the ground, but I was met with blank stares or a smile. They are probably thinking "what's this crazy gori interfering for?" Nandita, it's right, more clean up drives are needed. It's a great way to set a good example for all to follow!
Nice to know Veronika that you are taking an effort to tell "litterers that they shouldn’t just drop stuff on the ground" but sugest that you should join Jodie Underhill(if you have not joined her) in Mcleodganj and surrounding areas. Terming locals as "Worst Offenders" wont be right because in Mcleodganj at any point of time there are more tourists or people based there for months/years like you. It is for the people coming from outside who should take care of the degrading environment. I'm not saying that locals should not be blamed but then locals are not only there for clearing the mess created by outsiders who come here,enjoy the himalayas,litter around and go back.
Sad to hear about Shimla's litter problem. Shimla looked remarkably clean on all my visits, compared to Mcleodganj where I'm based. But I've not been to Shimla in the height of summer. Mcleodganj unfortunately suffers from this problem all year round, and the blame can be squarely put on the locals. They are the worst offenders. Of course tourists are also dropping their trash anywhere but in a bin. These rubbish bins are very scarce and becoming scarcer as time goes on. For some reason, instead of putting up more bins, quite a few have been removed!
A few times I politely pointed out to litterers that they shouldn't just drop stuff on the ground, but I was met with blank stares or a smile. They are probably thinking "what's this crazy gori interfering for?" Nandita, it's right, more clean up drives are needed. It's a great way to set a good example for all to follow!
Nice to know Veronika that you are taking an effort to tell "litterers that they shouldn’t just drop stuff on the ground" but sugest that you should join Jodie Underhill(if you have not joined her) in Mcleodganj and surrounding areas. Terming locals as "Worst Offenders" wont be right because in Mcleodganj at any point of time there are more tourists or people based there for months/years like you. It is for the people coming from outside who should take care of the degrading environment. I'm not saying that locals should not be blamed but then locals are not only there for clearing the mess created by outsiders who come here,enjoy the himalayas,litter around and go back.
Thanks Veronica, i study in Shimla and the litter problem is among a few issues i think need immediate action. Constant effort made by " crazy gori's" will make a lot of difference. 🙂
Thanks Veronica, i study in Shimla and the litter problem is among a few issues i think need immediate action. Constant effort made by " crazy gori's" will make a lot of difference. 🙂
I am so so so lucky that I live in New Shimla.. Thankfully me n all my neighbors love to keep our house and surroundings really clean. We dump our dust bins in the proper dumping Boxes and that too without littering it outside. I know some places in Shimla, where waste is lingering on roadside and out in open. Together we all can make our city look beautiful and flawless. People should definitely take proper care of sanitation and hygiene in side and outside der home.
I am so so so lucky that I live in New Shimla.. Thankfully me n all my neighbors love to keep our house and surroundings really clean. We dump our dust bins in the proper dumping Boxes and that too without littering it outside. I know some places in Shimla, where waste is lingering on roadside and out in open. Together we all can make our city look beautiful and flawless. People should definitely take proper care of sanitation and hygiene in side and outside der home.
selective blindness. every house in HP is spotless – not a speck of dust anywhere. on the other hand, streets are filthy to a point where at times i can't even breathe, while thousands pass that very spot effortlessly, oblivious to garbage lying on the streets openly. culture lost? yes.
selective blindness. every house in HP is spotless – not a speck of dust anywhere. on the other hand, streets are filthy to a point where at times i can't even breathe, while thousands pass that very spot effortlessly, oblivious to garbage lying on the streets openly. culture lost? yes.
would tourist sense ever prevail among indian tourists?????? only time can tell. heavy fine should be imposed on the offenders
would tourist sense ever prevail among indian tourists?????? only time can tell. heavy fine should be imposed on the offenders
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