𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

…𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒖𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆, 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆

By Sonam Choden

Illegal dumping of waste remains a pressing challenge in Thimphu despite years of municipal interventions and the installation of CCTV cameras under the “Clean Thimphu, Clean Paro” initiative in 2025. Plastic wrappers and household garbage continue to line riverbanks, roadside verges and vacant plots across the city. While some point to gaps in enforcement or municipal inefficiencies, the persistence of illegal dumping highlights both behavioral and institutional challenges in addressing the problem.

Thimphu Thromde, in partnership with private contractor Greener Way, provides door to door waste collection services and designated dumping points. Municipal by laws, alongside the Waste Prevention and Management Act of 2009, provide a legal framework for handling solid waste. CCTV cameras were intended to deter offenders, with visible fines as an additional measure. On paper, these efforts should help maintain urban cleanliness. Yet, the situation on the ground shows otherwise. Streets and riverbanks remain littered, indicating that laws and technology alone cannot ensure results if citizens fail to comply.

“This is frustrating,” said Tashi Dorji, a resident in Thimphu. “Even though door to door collection is available, people still dump their waste irresponsibly. It shows a complete disregard for civic responsibility.”

“When we look at the CCTV footage on social media, we see people coming out of their cars and dumping garbage by the roadside. If they could just drive to the designated dump sites, they could dispose of their waste properly. It is not about access; it is about choosing to do the right thing,” said Tshering, another resident.

Sonam Choden, a teacher, added, “I see students and families throw wrappers or leftover food into empty plots while walking to school. It is not just laziness, it is a mindset that waste is not their problem. Education alone cannot fix this if behavior does not change.”

The environmental consequences of illegal dumping are serious. Waste deposited on riverbanks contaminates water, threatening aquatic biodiversity and downstream supplies. Open dumping attracts stray dogs and increases the risk of zoonotic diseases. Communities living near these sites face foul odors, unsanitary conditions and reduced property values.

Despite these impacts, illegal dumping persists. Evidence captured by CCTV shows that some residents continue to dispose of waste improperly, even when collection services are accessible. Interviews and observations suggest a recurring attitude: waste is often perceived as someone else’s problem, typically the municipality’s responsibility. This tendency to externalize responsibility undermines civic compliance and reduces the effectiveness of waste management systems.

Moving forward, a combined approach is needed. Enforcement must be consistent, with visible consequences for offenders to reinforce social norms. Waste collection services should remain reliable and accessible, encouraging proper segregation. Public education campaigns must emphasize waste management as a civic duty rather than only a municipal service. Community based mechanisms, such as neighborhood watch groups or citizen reporting platforms, can help residents monitor and discourage illegal dumping.

Tashi said, “We need more neighborhood level initiatives. If residents organize regular clean up drives and report offenders, people start feeling accountable. Social pressure can be as effective as fines.”

Ultimately, accountability rests with individuals. The Thimphu Thromde can provide infrastructure, enact laws and issue fines, but these measures cannot succeed without responsible behavior from residents. Unless individuals recognize their role in maintaining urban cleanliness, illegal dumping will persist, affecting public health and environmental resilience.

“If this is happening in the capital city, there is a real risk that illegal dumping will spread to other Dzongkhags. We are already seeing emerging cases in Paro. It is a warning sign that civic responsibility needs to be reinforced nationwide,” added Tshering.

The persistence of illegal dumping reflects a wider challenge that requires both institutional support and a change in public attitude. Sustainable urban governance depends on individuals taking responsibility for their waste, alongside consistent enforcement and accessible services.