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Time of India

Zemithang pioneers waste mgmt in eastern Himalayas

Guwahati: Zemithang, a remote Himalayan area bordering China in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district which served as the Dalai Lama's first refuge after leaving Tibet, has established itself as an exemplar of community-led waste management in the eastern Himalayas. The flagship Himalayan Fringes Project demonstrates how isolated regions can develop circular, sustainable waste management systems. The local community established the Pangchen Valley Waste Management Committee, developing its own waste policies and regulations while creating a decentralised collection and transport system. The community now independently manages waste banks, fee collection, and monthly Swachhata Diwas. The Further and Beyond Foundation, through its Himalayan Fringes Project, has facilitated a community-based model emphasising local ownership, environmental protection, and grassroots governance. "With increasing tourism and urbanisation impacting the region's fragile ecology, the initiative now covers 14 villages in the Pangchen Valley. Core components include household-level segregation, monthly Swachhata Diwas, a Material Recovery Facility, and a user-fee-based system to ensure long-term sustainability," said Zemithang circle officer Deewan Mara on Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish New Mobility Scooters Available for Seniors (Take a Look) Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Search Now Undo The initiative involves collaboration between the circle officer's office, Border Roads Organisation, gaon burahs, SHGs, and monitoring committees. The Green Guardian School Programme, operating under the Himalayan Fringes initiative, enables students at institutions like Lumpo Government Higher Secondary School to operate waste banks, organise clean-ups, and promote environmental awareness. "This is not just a waste management project. It's a cultural shift, led by the people, for the place they love," said a spokesperson from the Further and Beyond Foundation, a non-profit organisation. The Zemithang Valley Waste Management Policy prohibits single-use plastics under 50 microns, with recyclables transported to Assam facilities.