𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐞𝐲–𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐢

𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒎 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓’𝒔 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅
𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚, 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒖𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕
𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Kezang Choden

Gangtey and Phobji gewogs under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag, one of Bhutan’s most celebrated
tourist destinations and the winter home of the endangered Black-necked crane, are seeing local
stakeholders come together to address the valley’s growing waste problem.

The cranes are not only a symbol of conservation in Bhutan but also an important attraction for visitors who travel to the valley during the winter months. Eighteen hotels, 30 homestays and several local businesses have jointly
launched an annual waste management fund aimed at constructing a proper landfill and strengthening
waste management systems to protect the fragile ecosystem.

The initiative reflects growing concern among tourism operators about the impact of increasing visitor numbers and inadequate waste disposal in the valley. Gangtey–Phobji is widely known for its rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and scenic landscape. However, rising tourism and expanding commercial activity have also led to a steady increase
in waste, placing pressure on the environment and local infrastructure.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, local businesses decided to take collective responsibility rather
than wait for external intervention. Through the newly created fund, tourism operators plan to contribute
annually to support the development of a proper landfill and other waste management measures that can
safeguard the valley’s ecological integrity.

The growing waste challenge has also drawn national attention. In response to the situation, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment of Bhutan have deployed members of the Desuups to assist with waste management activities in the area. Their presence is intended to support local efforts and help manage the
increasing volume of waste generated by residents, businesses and visitors.

Environmental degradation in such a sensitive landscape could threaten wildlife, undermine sustainable
tourism and weaken Bhutan’s global reputation as a leader in conservation. The initiative by local tourism
operators therefore represents an important step towards balancing economic activity with environmental
protection. The effort also highlights a rare example of grassroots environmental stewardship. Instead of
relying solely on government support, private tourism operators have chosen to collaborate and invest in
long-term solutions that benefit the entire community.

Their collective action demonstrates how local leadership can play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges. As tourism continues to rebound and rural destinations receive increasing numbers of visitors, the experience of Gangtey–Phobji may offer valuable lessons for other areas across the country. By combining community initiative, government support and conservation priorities, the valley’s approach presents a practical model for managing waste
while protecting both livelihoods and landscapes.

Kinley Gyeltshen, Gup of Gangtey Gewog, has raised concern over the rapidly increasing waste problem
in the community, warning that the gewog could soon face serious challenges if immediate action is not
taken. “If we do not act now, the gewog will soon be filled with waste,” he said. To address the issue, the
gewog administration has launched a community-based waste management program.

Under the initiative, residents gather once every month to clean and manage waste in their respective chiwogs. The effort aims to reduce the growing impact of waste on both the community and the environment. The Gup also
stressed the importance of advocacy in improving waste management practices. He said the gewog regularly conducts awareness campaigns and educational programs to encourage people to reduce, reuse
and properly dispose of waste. “We are continuously raising the issue of waste and educating our people about responsible waste management,” he said, adding that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility of the community.

With the rise in tourist arrivals, local authorities in both the Gewogs are raising concerns over the
increasing number of hotels and resorts being established to accommodate visitors. Gups said that while
tourism brings economic opportunities, it also presents environmental challenges for the community.
“One of the prime concerns is the increasing number of hotels and resorts being established to
accommodate the growing influx of visitors,” they said.

They also pointed out that the waste dumping yard in the area is poorly maintained, with animals frequently rummaging through scattered garbage. He said the growing number of both domestic and international tourists has further worsened the waste situation. “Not only the residents but even the tourists may start to think that waste is taking over the place,” Gangtey Gup said, adding that some visitors have already begun taking part in waste management activities themselves. He stressed that the issue requires urgent attention before it begins to affect the
image of the community and its prospects for sustainable tourism.

Sonam Tobgay, Experience Coordinator of Gangtey Lodge, said the lodge, along with several other hotels
in the area, has formed a dedicated waste management team to improve waste handling practices. The
team is responsible for collecting waste and ensuring proper segregation of waste materials. According to
Tobgay, the initiative focuses on separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste to reduce
environmental impact. He said non-degradable waste is not simply discarded but collected and sold to
appropriate vendors, promoting recycling and reducing the pressure on landfill sites.

Tobgay also shared that Gangtey Lodge pays an annual waste management fee of Nu 10,000 to the gewog administration as part of its support for the hospitality waste management system initiated by the gewog. He added that hospitality providers share a collective responsibility to protect the environment of Gangtey and
expressed hope that more tourism businesses would join the initiative to promote sustainable waste
management practices in the region.

Passang Zam, owner of Passang Zam Homestay in Gangtey, said homestay operators in the area are also
contributing to the gewog’s waste management efforts. She said that around 30 homestays in Gangtey
contribute Nu 1,000 each annually to the gewog administration to support waste management activities.
According to her, the contribution is made based on the scale of the business so that smaller
establishments can also take part in the initiative. Passang Zam said the homestay owners recognize the
importance of maintaining a clean environment, especially as Gangtey and Phobji continues to attract
more visitors every year. She added that proper waste management is essential not only for the
community but also for sustaining tourism in the valley, which is widely known for its natural beauty and
peaceful surroundings.

The Manager of Amankora Gangtey has expressed concern over the increasing waste problem in
Gangtey, attributing it to the growing number of tourism-related establishments in the area. He said waste
has become a pressing issue, with garbage accumulating in different parts of the valley, which is
otherwise known for its pristine environment and scenic beauty. He added that Amankora Gangtey is
taking steps to contribute to waste management efforts. As part of the initiative, the lodge contributes Nu
10,000 annually to the Gewog Administration to support local waste management activities. According to
him, the contribution is intended to assist the community in managing waste more effectively maintaining
cleanliness in the area, particularly with the rising number of visitors each year.

Waste management efforts in Gangtey have improved with the deployment of Desuups under a national
initiative led by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Desuup team received a virtual briefing from the Prime
Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment through a Zoom session. The
briefing clarified the objectives of the initiative and outlined coordination mechanisms for the work on the
ground. Officials said the programme aims to address growing waste issues while also engaging youth in
productive and meaningful work.

In Gangtey, the initiative has strengthened the monitoring of landfill sites and led to the construction of segregation sheds to support proper waste disposal. Clean-up activities are also being carried out along riverbanks to keep them free of waste, reflecting increased community awareness and responsibility towards environmental protection.

Desuup Madhan Kumar Rai said that following their deployment, the team assessed waste conditions in
and around the main river flowing through the Gangtey valley. “Beyond the Area Specific Operational
Plan responsibilities, we have expressed our willingness to contribute more for the benefit of the
community and the local people here. We inspected all the critical areas that required immediate clean-up
and we believe that working closely with the gewog administration will enhance the impact of our
efforts,” he said.

The Desuups have been focusing not only on removing visible waste but also on identifying recurring problem areas along riverbanks and nearby settlements. Officials stressed the need for strict compliance with waste management regulations and warned that violators would face penalties. The burning of waste has also been strictly prohibited to prevent health risks, environmental damage, and harm to the scenic landscape of Gangtey-Phobji.

Madhan Kumar Rai also highlighted some of the challenges faced during the clean-up operations. He said
transportation difficulties make it time-consuming and physically demanding to move collected waste to
designated areas. In some cases, individuals are reluctant to participate in community clean-up efforts,
and Desuups have occasionally faced discrimination during their work. Despite these challenges, he said
the team remains committed to its responsibilities. “We motivate each other and continue our work with
determination, because we understand the importance of keeping our environment clean,” he said.

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) team based in Phobjikha has been actively working to
address the valley’s growing waste problem through community engagement and advocacy initiatives.
According to the team, they regularly participate in monthly waste collection campaigns alongside local
residents and make efforts to support waste management activities whenever possible. In some cases, the
team also helps coordinate these clean-up initiatives.

Beyond waste collection, RSPN conducts advocacy and awareness programmes on proper waste management practices in Phobjikha and surrounding areas. These efforts are aimed at supporting wetland conservation, which plays a crucial role in sustaining the habitat of the endangered Black-necked Crane and other wildlife species found in the valley. “Waste management has become a rising issue in the valley,” a member of the RSPN team said. “Before
the arrival of the Black-necked Cranes, we prepare the wetlands by removing waste, invasive species and
any materials that could harm the cranes and other wildlife.”

The team explained that these immediate measures form part of a broader conservation approach. For long-term sustainability, RSPN is working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen policies related to wetland conservation and the protection of the Black-necked Crane and other species in the valley.

Schools in the Phobjikha valley are also stepping up efforts to address the growing waste problem by
promoting better waste management practices among students and the wider community. The Principal of
Phobjikha Central School, Karma Phuntsho said that the school has adopted a waste storage room instead
of a waste pit to prevent animals from scattering garbage around the campus. He explained that waste pits
often attract birds such as crows, which can easily pull out and spread waste across the surrounding areas.

“Because of animals like crows that scatter the waste, we decided to keep a designated waste room
outside the school rather than using a pit,” he said. Beyond infrastructure, the school is focusing strongly
on awareness and behavioral change among students. According to the principal, waste management
education is regularly integrated into school activities so that students develop responsible habits from an
early age.

At the beginning of every month, the school observes a Zero Waste Day, during which students and
teachers carry out activities focused on reducing, segregating, and properly managing waste. Waste
management discussions and clean-up efforts form a key part of the programme. The school also extends
its advocacy efforts beyond the classroom. During parent–teacher meetings, school officials share
information on the importance of proper waste disposal and encourage families to adopt better waste
management practices at home.

Karma Phuntsho said that involving both students and parents is essential to addressing the valley’s waste challenges. He added that when young people understand the importance of keeping their environment clean, they often influence their families and communities to adopt more responsible practices. With the valley experiencing increasing tourism and development, local institutions such as schools are playing an important role in promoting environmental responsibility and protecting the fragile ecosystem of Phobjikha.

The Gup of Gangtey said that the initiative has improved the monitoring of landfill sites and supported
the construction of segregation sheds to ensure proper waste disposal in the valley. He said that
riverbanks are now regularly maintained and kept free from waste, reflecting increasing community
awareness and responsibility toward protecting the environment.

Their contributions have helped maintain the waste-carrying tractor and landfill sheds used for waste management activities in the area. Members of the Gangtey-Phobji Environment Management Committee (GPEMC) have installed CCTV cameras along the stretch from Lawala Chorten to the Eusa landfill to strengthen monitoring and
discourage illegal dumping. The cameras were installed using Nu 80,000 from the community waste
management fund. The Gup added that the community fund is also used to cover operational costs related
to waste management activities. These include fuel and maintenance for the waste-carrying tractor,
refreshments for volunteers during clean-up campaigns, and the purchase of essential items such as
gloves, sacks, and masks for waste collection work.