By: Vishal Thakur
Last time I was in India, I took a few photographs in the beautiful valley of Kullu. The word ‘beautiful’ has been used here in an entirely ironic sense and no apologies are made for that. In reality, the words ‘beautiful’ and ‘Kullu’ shouldn’t be used in one sentence, definitely not in quick succession. Actually, Kullu is anything but.
Now before you start screaming the whole ‘look down the valley from a great vantage point and you’ll see…’ barrage, I would like to point out that the valley has the natural elements. Heck, it probably has the best natural elements from an aesthetic point of view. Elegant pine trees (the three of four near the district court), the mountain-fed river, the valley, the occasional rolling fields, oh! Splendid.
It’s the ‘un’natural elements added by the (you guessed it!) humans that I want, so desperately, to bring to your attention, my dear reader. Allow me.
If the curiosity hasn’t already gotten the better of you and you’ve scrolled down to look at the pictures that I’ve supplied to you, dear reader, please do so now, before you continue to read this monologue of mine.
I’ll be honest with you. I tried writing this piece before. Twice. As it happened, on both occasions, I couldn’t. The inspiration was there. It was fuelled by motivation. Oh, yes sir. The thought of my fellow humans living in conditions like the ones you just had the misfortune of scrolling down and looking at, made me get up and do something about it. What could a non-politician, a non-official, a non-resident do about it? Write about it! But, you see, that’s where all the trouble started. One look at these photographs and words fail you completely. It’s like the language hits back at you with ‘this mess is beyond reasoning, you don’t need words to describe it, try a broom, mop and a huge bucket of water enhanced with a small dose of common sense.’
So I failed twice. Couldn’t pen down a single word. But then, you see dear reader (by the way, thanks a lot for taking out some time for reading this, before I forget), I don’t have a broom or a mop or a bucket. I don’t even live in Kullu; I just visit whenever I can. What I do have though, is some common sense and a pen (er.. a keyboard to be more precise). And so, I’m hoping to get third-time-lucky. And so far, I’m doing good, ‘wordcount’ tells me.
So, here’s what I see:
It’s common knowledge that when towns, cities and other localities are being developed in India, we follow a plan that could only be described as ‘haphazard’. It’s a comprehensive guide in what not to do when planning a town. Anyway, the facet that we want to focus on here is the garbage-handling process. It would’ve been easier to do that, if only there was a process. Heaps of garbage is simply thrown out, mostly into the streets and eventually ends up in makeshift dumps that are sort-of taken care of by burning the garbage for sometime and then they simply become a part of the landscape. The process is so gradual that most people don’t see it growing. I’m sure if people were to wake up one day and find a huge pile of rubbish lying outside their door, they’d be shocked. But if this pile was to happen bit by bit, over a period of few months, the shock would be subdued, if not completely non-existent. That’s what has happened here. These photographs were taken near the Kullu bus terminal in Sarvari. I remember when it was being built many years ago. It was clean – because there was nothing there. With the bus terminal, came people. People brought filth. They didn’t have bins to put that filth into. They probably didn’t like taking the rubbish with them on the bus and then to their homes, where again, they wouldn’t have had a council bin to put it in. So they did what most people would do in those circumstances. They chucked that rubbish over the edge into the river. That has been happening ever since. What I find amusing is that most people are standing, talking to each other, right next to huge pile of garbage, completely oblivious to it.
When I go into people’s homes in Kullu, it’s impossible to find a speck of dust anywhere. The cleanliness is almost disturbing. The floors shine better than those things you see in a DeBeers commercial. The kitchens… would put most five-star restaurants to shame. Then why? Why do the streets stink? Why are people OK with filth lying openly on the streets? One garbage dump in the middle of town (just outside the Snr. Sec. School, for example) with garbage being pulled out by stray dogs and cows and then left on the streets. People are OK with that. If they’re not, it never shows. They go about their everyday chores, turning a blind eye to this problem. Well, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like anyone sees it as a problem. That is the real problem.
Do I have answers to this problem? Maybe not all of them. What I know for certain, is that it needs to be recognised as a problem. Only then we’ll seriously start looking for solutions.
Supplying every household a couple of bins is a good start – one for garbage and one for recyclables. Having said that, nothing is more important than educating people when it comes to problems this big. Garbage lying all around the place has nothing to do with the economy of the country. It’s as simple as not throwing that banana skin into the distance after you’ve enjoyed the fruit. It’s as simple as putting it in the bin that has been provided to the public by the government (which isn’t the case here, there’re no bins).
On a lighter note, I do remember someone telling me that bins were supplied to the good people of Kullu once. They were put to a great use – people planted flowers in them.
Thnx for generating awareness with pictures .
Thnx for generating awareness with pictures .
Vishal, thank you for writing this article. Awareness is certainly the first step. I empathise with your feelings, having seen for myself how nature's beauty is being degraded in so many places throughout India. The solutions are simple. This is not one of those major complex problems, such as poverty or corruption. We all know what needs to be done. Educating the public, starting right from the first graders in school, placing adequate numbers of bins and cleanup drives such as the Mountain Cleaners are organising. It seems that the biggest obstacle is that many Indians, in the villages anyway, don't seem to see that there is a problem. As you pointed out, they have become blind to their surroundings. So, opening their eyes to what they are doing, is number one. The rest will be easy 🙂
good see us finally agreeing on stuff after a wobbly start…
Vishal Thakur aka VT
: ) …. Nice to meet you!
Vishal, thank you for writing this article. Awareness is certainly the first step. I empathise with your feelings, having seen for myself how nature's beauty is being degraded in so many places throughout India. The solutions are simple. This is not one of those major complex problems, such as poverty or corruption. We all know what needs to be done. Educating the public, starting right from the first graders in school, placing adequate numbers of bins and cleanup drives such as the Mountain Cleaners are organising. It seems that the biggest obstacle is that many Indians, in the villages anyway, don't seem to see that there is a problem. As you pointed out, they have become blind to their surroundings. So, opening their eyes to what they are doing, is number one. The rest will be easy 🙂
good see us finally agreeing on stuff after a wobbly start…
Vishal Thakur aka VT
: ) …. Nice to meet you!
it's high time a public movement takes shape to clean up the mess around us. The Garbage Girl has made a beginning for us, and now it is for us to take forward the initiative.
Any suggestions?
next time i'm in india, i'll be organising a "Clean-up Kullu Day". we'll start from one point and clean-up everything to the next point. it'll have to be after the Dussehra festival (for obvious problems) and i'm hoping it'll get the point across. all help will be appreciated. i'll try to get as many local business involved as possible. thanks in advance Nirvan 🙂
it's high time a public movement takes shape to clean up the mess around us. The Garbage Girl has made a beginning for us, and now it is for us to take forward the initiative.
Any suggestions?
next time i'm in india, i'll be organising a "Clean-up Kullu Day". we'll start from one point and clean-up everything to the next point. it'll have to be after the Dussehra festival (for obvious problems) and i'm hoping it'll get the point across. all help will be appreciated. i'll try to get as many local business involved as possible. thanks in advance Nirvan 🙂
Mr Vishal
I am a resident of Kullu and your article on the cleanliness in Kullu town is indeed a reality check and every thing that you have mentioned here is true and up to date,but instead of pointing the finger to local residents of Kullu for not keeping their town neat and clean you did’nt mention the migration problem of biharis and labour class of UP, and here you have horribly went wrong in your R&D about cleanliness in Kullu town.Now let me tell you my point of viewand this is plain truth -I remember when I was a little kid I used to go the banks of sarvari river with my friends just to play or sometimes strolling , I remember how we spent full whole day near the streams rising out of the same sarvari river which you have photographed and sometimes near the beas river (especially in summers) I still remember we used to have bath in it in summers as the water was simply crystal clear and it was around 15 years ago,this was because till that time these biharis and labour class people had not arrived from their horrible “switzerland” and the town was also neat and tidy, then also the homes of people were neat and clean and the town too was also beautiful ,but now come straight to 2010,the same old streams have disappeared instead the river is converted itself into a small stream,and the banks of sarvari nowadays are full of filth,dirt and loads of shit,and you can see these biharis going with their same old bottle of bisleri early in the morning (some not even bothering that also) to that same sarvari river ,now Mr Vishal can you tell me what can a local resident has to do with it and that too in 2010 where nobody has time to care for such things-they can atleast keep their homes neat and clean AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS FROM KASHMIR TO KANYAKUMARI!!!!!!!!!!!.Now I saw agra ,mathura even delhi and saw the same thing there too ,so its not the local residents who are responsible but the people from outside and that too from BIHAR and UP.
Now for the second part of your R&D,you have highlighted the garbage photos yes thats good and should be mentioned and you have done the right thing by doing it,but you could have also appreciated the local MC that how many sulabh sauchalaya have been constructed in the town,I think two are immediately beside bus stand other is 500 metes away behind that ekant ashram,another one at dhalpur, another small one in lower dhalpur market so thats sufficient for a town like Kullu,and one at akhara bazar ,as compared to other towns of our country maybe you could have highlighted that also ,and yes all the localites use these public facilites and washrooms except these biharis and labourers and i can’t understand why can’t these people spare even just 2 rs early in the morning -pathetic people. and you can’t challenge me on this point because I have seen this situation for about 10 years .Now Mr Vikas can you tell how to get rid of this problem first and tell me the solution to this fundamental problem of migration and dirtiness spread by migrant class , I am a local resdent and would never like to see my beautiful hometown go the same way as mathura nad agra have gone ,and i think then you should fingerpoint on the loaclites and then next to the MC and the district administration.
thanks for reading. all i have to say to you is – it starts with us. you, me, the guy next door. do me a favour Nachiketa, take some time off and walk from Gandhinagar all the way to Sarvari. Count the number of people you see spitting on the streets, throwing banana skins etc. on to the street and chucking cigarette butts (far too advanced to look in to that at this time but nonetheless important – as they end up in your beautiful Sarvari river as well and are non-degradable). Out of thousands that you see littering (and mind you, this is before you cross over to the bus terminal), count how many happen to be Biharis. Now, after you've so generously taken the time to do that, if your list of offenders has one local in it, you've got a problem.
thanks for confirming what i've always believed in. most people in India just dont get it. there's always someone to blame, some system to point the finger at, anything but action.
i respect your views, don't get me wrong. but for the love of god, dont even get me started on the MC. you see, i grew up in Kullu as well. i used to jump into Sarvari as well on those hot summer days. and that's why i'm the first one to put my hand up and say -"we've ruined this place. not the Biharis, not the tourists, not the MC. we, the people of Kullu."
having said that, i'll be honest, i'm so tempted to blame the Biharis as well. it would save me a lot of trouble, y'see. 🙂
Hi Mr Sharma! I've not yet been to Kullu, so I'm speaking only of other parts of Himachal, in particular the greater Dharamshala area. In this area there are communities of diverse backgrounds, including a workforce from other states. I have lived in the village part, where most of the inhabitants have resided for many years and they are local people for generations back. These are the ones I've observed habitually throwing their garbage into the creek, near the creek and down the mountain slopes. I've also seen Tibetans doing the same, and no doubt, there are also people from interstate, as well (but to a lesser degree) westerners that are doing the same, but one cannot deny that the locals are responsible for a vast amount of this garbage dumping. I'm surprised that in your observations, the situation in Kullu is very different, ie, the migrants only doing the dirty deeds.
Mr VishalÂ
          I am a resident of Kullu and your article on the cleanliness in Kullu  town is indeed a reality check and every thing that you have mentioned here is true and up to date,but instead of pointing the finger to local residents of Kullu for not keeping their town neat and  clean you did’nt  mention the migration problem of biharis and labour class of UP, and here you have horribly went wrong in your R&D about cleanliness in Kullu town.Now let me tell you my point of viewand this is plain truth  -I remember when I was a little kid  I  used to go the banks of sarvari river with my friends just to play  or sometimes strolling , I remember how we spent full whole day near the  streams rising out of the same sarvari river  which you have photographed and sometimes near the beas river  (especially in summers)  I still remember we used to have bath in it in summers as the water was simply crystal clear and it was around 15 years ago,this was because till that time these biharis and labour class people  had not arrived from their horrible “switzerland” and the town was also neat and tidy, then also the homes of people were neat and clean and the town too was also beautiful ,but now come straight to 2010,the same old streams have disappeared instead the river is converted itself into a small stream,and the banks of sarvari nowadays are full of filth,dirt and loads of shit,and you can see these biharis going with their same old bottle of bisleri early in the morning (some not even bothering that also) to that  same sarvari river ,now Mr Vishal can you tell me what can a local resident has to do with it and that too in 2010 where nobody has time to care for such things-they can atleast keep their homes neat and clean AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS FROM KASHMIR TO KANYAKUMARI!!!!!!!!!!!.Now I saw agra ,mathura even delhi  and saw the same thing there too ,so its not the local residents who are responsible but the people from outside and that too from BIHAR and UP.
Now for the second part of your R&D,you have highlighted the garbage photos yes thats good and should be mentioned and you have done the right thing by doing it,but you could have also appreciated the local MC that how many sulabh sauchalaya have been constructed in the town,I think two are immediately beside bus stand other is 500 metes away behind that ekant ashram,another one at dhalpur, another small one in lower dhalpur market so thats sufficient for a town like Kullu,and one at akhara bazar ,as compared to other towns of our country maybe you could have highlighted that also ,and yes all the localites use these public facilites and washrooms except these biharis and labourers and i can’t understand why can’t these people spare even just 2 rs early in the morning -pathetic people.  and you can’t challenge me on this point because I have seen this situation for  about 10 years .Now Mr Vikas can you tell how to get rid of this problem first and tell me the solution to this fundamental problem of migration and dirtiness spread by migrant class , I am a local resdent and would never like to see my beautiful hometown go the same way as mathura nad agra have gone ,and i think then you should fingerpoint on the loaclites and then  next to the MC and the district administration.
thanks for reading. all i have to say to you is – it starts with us. you, me, the guy next door. do me a favour Nachiketa, take some time off and walk from Gandhinagar all the way to Sarvari. Count the number of people you see spitting on the streets, throwing banana skins etc. on to the street and chucking cigarette butts (far too advanced to look in to that at this time but nonetheless important – as they end up in your beautiful Sarvari river as well and are non-degradable). Out of thousands that you see littering (and mind you, this is before you cross over to the bus terminal), count how many happen to be Biharis. Now, after you've so generously taken the time to do that, if your list of offenders has one local in it, you've got a problem.
thanks for confirming what i've always believed in. most people in India just dont get it. there's always someone to blame, some system to point the finger at, anything but action.
i respect your views, don't get me wrong. but for the love of god, dont even get me started on the MC. you see, i grew up in Kullu as well. i used to jump into Sarvari as well on those hot summer days. and that's why i'm the first one to put my hand up and say -"we've ruined this place. not the Biharis, not the tourists, not the MC. we, the people of Kullu."
having said that, i'll be honest, i'm so tempted to blame the Biharis as well. it would save me a lot of trouble, y'see. 🙂
Hi Mr Sharma! I've not yet been to Kullu, so I'm speaking only of other parts of Himachal, in particular the greater Dharamshala area. In this area there are communities of diverse backgrounds, including a workforce from other states. I have lived in the village part, where most of the inhabitants have resided for many years and they are local people for generations back. These are the ones I've observed habitually throwing their garbage into the creek, near the creek and down the mountain slopes. I've also seen Tibetans doing the same, and no doubt, there are also people from interstate, as well (but to a lesser degree) westerners that are doing the same, but one cannot deny that the locals are responsible for a vast amount of this garbage dumping. I'm surprised that in your observations, the situation in Kullu is very different, ie, the migrants only doing the dirty deeds.
HEY VT I THINK WE HAVE A NEW "BASHER" / "INTRUDER" ON OUR SITE TARGETING YOU THIS TIME !!! GET READY MAN , I THINK HE IS VERY ANGRY !!!!
no worries mate, good to have stirred a few pots. anger could be very productive if channelled into the right direction. i hope he picks up a huge broom and starts cleaning, with loads of anger, of course. according the age old kullvian proverb, 'he who cleans the streets in anger cleans a lot…' 🙂
HEY VT I THINK WE HAVE A NEW "BASHER" / "INTRUDER" ON OUR SITE TARGETING YOU THIS TIME !!! GET READY MAN , I THINK HE IS VERY ANGRY !!!!
no worries mate, good to have stirred a few pots. anger could be very productive if channelled into the right direction. i hope he picks up a huge broom and starts cleaning, with loads of anger, of course. according the age old kullvian proverb, 'he who cleans the streets in anger cleans a lot…' 🙂
WELL
WELL
I again say it is of no consequence who has done it. The reality is that we have a dirty backyard and something needs to be done. We will never have another Gandhiji to teach us such things, the current political leadership lack the vision, the bureaucracy is even more indifferent and poverty still a major hurdle to let any positive thing happen. To add to it, the great Indian middle class, which actually should have taken up the responsibility to shape our future, is too busy in self-indulgence to think of the society.
We should understand that in a participatory democracy each one of us will have to play a part if real change has to happen. Vishal has shown some insight in planning a clean-Kullu campaign whenever he visits the place, but why not right now. I am sure there are people here who can add to idea rightaway and still others who can help implement it at ground level.
I again say it is of no consequence who has done it. The reality is that we have a dirty backyard and something needs to be done. We will never have another Gandhiji to teach us such things, the current political leadership lack the vision, the bureaucracy is even more indifferent and poverty still a major hurdle to let any positive thing happen. To add to it, the great Indian middle class, which actually should have taken up the responsibility to shape our future, is too busy in self-indulgence to think of the society.
We should understand that in a participatory democracy each one of us will have to play a part if real change has to happen. Vishal has shown some insight in planning a clean-Kullu campaign whenever he visits the place, but why not right now. I am sure there are people here who can add to idea rightaway and still others who can help implement it at ground level.
no problem if i get brickbats ,i still stand with what i have expressed ,and thats my point of view,and i consulted my friend circle also on this topic,and many feel (me including) that yes -charity begins at home ,but the problem i highlighted is also a major cause of pollution and i think that no one was disagreeing with me,because thats what they say in hindi-"ek sikke ke do pehlu".
Nchiketa, my friend, I have tried very hard not to embarrass the people of Kullu (myself included), but you leave me no choice.
The second photograph has been taken outside the 'janj ghar'. Putrid waste flowing out of the Janj Ghar building, straight into your beloved sarwari river. Enlighten me – how many Biharis and immigrants use that place for weddings? I'm not surprised that you stand by what you said and your friends agree. In fact, I believe that's a view shared by most people in Kullu, HP and India. Proof lies on the streets for everyone to see. I rest my case.
Ok Sir-you win ,I knew from the start of this discussion that I was missing the point which you were highlighting but I was purposely doing it,thats because I really feel bad for the beautiful rivers being spoilt by the filth ,rest -I don’t care ,because its 2010-its the “who cares” times,because nothings gonna change by giving our suggestions,maybe if someone from govt. reads this forum then maybe some miracle happens,or maybe mountain cleaners take Kullu town in their next project,alas this is the sad reality,anyways great article and thanks for highlighting the problem.take care .
thanks for creating a buzz in this forum!
hope you join me in the clean-up! 🙂
no problem if i get brickbats ,i still stand with what i have expressed ,and thats my point of view,and i consulted my friend circle also on this topic,and many feel (me including) that yes -charity begins at home ,but the problem i highlighted is also a major cause of pollution and i think that no one was disagreeing with me,because thats what they say in hindi-"ek sikke ke do pehlu".
Nchiketa, my friend, I have tried very hard not to embarrass the people of Kullu (myself included), but you leave me no choice.
The second photograph has been taken outside the 'janj ghar'. Putrid waste flowing out of the Janj Ghar building, straight into your beloved sarwari river. Enlighten me – how many Biharis and immigrants use that place for weddings? I'm not surprised that you stand by what you said and your friends agree. In fact, I believe that's a view shared by most people in Kullu, HP and India. Proof lies on the streets for everyone to see. I rest my case.
Ok Sir-you win ,I knew from the start of this discussion  that I was missing the point which you were highlighting but I was purposely doing it,thats because I really feel bad for the beautiful rivers being spoilt by the filth ,rest -I don’t care ,because its 2010-its the “who cares” times,because nothings gonna change by giving our suggestions,maybe if someone from govt. reads this forum then maybe some miracle happens,or maybe mountain cleaners take Kullu town in their next project,alas this is the sad reality,anyways great article and thanks for highlighting the problem.take care .
thanks for creating a buzz in this forum!
hope you join me in the clean-up! 🙂
Well I agree with the writer.I am a resident of Kullu and I do feel pity for the valley’s condition.Its totally in a deplorable state and the ones to be blamed are the residents itself.Many say that its because of the labour migrants and excessive increase in the number of vagabonds from other states but its just an excuse to keep themselves away from the cause.It is one of the factors but the residents should also realise that it is also their duty to keep the valley tidy.Unless the people don’t understand the nuances of this particular problem,we can’t expect a cleaner town.So I would suggest that the people should become more pragmatic and keep the valley neat and clean.
Well I agree with the writer.I am a resident of Kullu and I do feel pity for the valley’s condition.Its totally in a deplorable state and the ones to be blamed are the residents itself.Many say that its because of the labour migrants and excessive increase in the number of vagabonds from other states but its just an excuse to keep themselves away from the cause.It is one of the factors but the residents should also realise that it is also their duty to keep the valley tidy.Unless the people don’t understand the nuances of this particular problem,we can’t expect a cleaner town.So I would suggest that the people should become more pragmatic and keep the valley neat and clean.
Great comments from everyone! Even if we dont' agree on who's to blame, the important thing we all agree on is that action needs to be taken to save this beautiful land. As Nirvan and others rightly say, let's focus on solutions rather than pointing fingers. Next time I'm in India, I will do my utmost to help. Meanwhile, I'll try to recruit my friends that are living there. 🙂
Action speaks louder than Words…Thanks Vishal for the reality check….I agree with Veronica n others…Plz let me know how can I help…My email is akshat.mishra90@gmail.com.I would be honoured to join ur team and chaperon My homeland from this precariousness.
thanks Akshat – I'll be in touch.
Great comments from everyone! Even if we dont' agree on who's to blame, the important thing we all agree on is that action needs to be taken to save this beautiful land. As Nirvan and others rightly say, let's focus on solutions rather than pointing fingers. Next time I'm in India, I will do my utmost to help. Meanwhile, I'll try to recruit my friends that are living there. 🙂
Action speaks louder than Words…Thanks Vishal for the reality check….I agree with Veronica n others…Plz let me know how can I help…My email is akshat.mishra90@gmail.com.I would be honoured to join ur team and chaperon My homeland from this precariousness.
thanks Akshat – I'll be in touch.
The hills are naturally cleaned by the downpour of rain and run off water and if the humanbeings pay a little care/ attention not to spread dirt and filth the hills of Himachal would be rated always queen of hills. We are no doubt indebted to you for bringing to fore the awarenessand as Himachali we are to undertake the task to make Himachal more beautifull.
The hills are naturally cleaned by the downpour of rain and run off water and if the humanbeings pay a little care/ attention not to spread dirt and filth the hills of Himachal would be rated always queen of hills. We are no doubt indebted to you for bringing to fore the awarenessand as Himachali we are to undertake the task to make Himachal more beautifull.
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