𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭

…𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆

By Kezang Choden

The current condition of the Lawala Chorten area has raised growing concern among locals and visitors alike, as it continues to reflect a poor image of one of the key entry points to the popular Gangtey-Phobjikha tourist destination under Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag. Lawala Chorten serves as a major welcoming point for tourists heading to the valley, but the site now paints an unpleasant picture due to scattered waste and neglected structures.

Temporary huts made from plastic materials are commonly erected during the tourist season. However, these shelters are often left abandoned once the season ends, contributing to the deteriorating appearance of the area. Visitors and residents have pointed out that the site has become increasingly cluttered with waste. The lack of proper maintenance and waste management has further worsened the situation, tarnishing the image of a place that is otherwise known for its scenic beauty and spiritual significance.

Community members have called for immediate attention from relevant authorities to restore cleanliness and uphold the dignity of Lawala Chorten as a gateway to one of the country’s most visited tourist spots.
Gangtey Gewog Gup Kinley Gyeltshen has raised serious concerns over the growing waste problem and the challenges faced by local vendors at Lawala Chorten. According to Gup Kinley, there is currently no organized group responsible for managing waste in the area. During the tourist season, local residents use temporary huts made of plastic sheets to sell traditional food items, handicrafts, and other local products to visitors. However, once the tourist season ends, these huts are abandoned.

“Not only is the area filled with waste during the off-season, but it also becomes unhygienic as domestic animals wander into the huts and defecate there,” he said. “This leaves a poor impression on incoming visitors, as Lawala Chorten serves as the gateway to Gangtey Gewog.”

The gewog administration, concerned by the deteriorating condition of the site, raised the issue during the Dzongkhag Tshogdu. Officials emphasized the urgent need for a sustainable waste management system in the area, particularly because of its cultural and environmental significance.

In addition to waste concerns, Gup Kinley highlighted the challenges faced by local vendors. “The sellers do not have proper structures or support facilities to operate during the tourist season. Most of the stalls are makeshift and offer little protection from weather conditions,” he said. He also added that the lack of proper infrastructure affects the quality and hygiene of the products being sold, and that the vendors face difficulties storing unsold goods.
“Many of them are small-scale producers relying on seasonal sales for income, and the current condition does not support their livelihood.”

The gewog administration is now looking into possible solutions such as setting up permanent stalls with basic amenities, introducing a waste collection and disposal mechanism, and creating awareness among vendors and residents on the importance of maintaining cleanliness in the area. Local authorities hope that swift and coordinated action will help restore the site’s cleanliness and provide better opportunities for vendors without compromising the environment.

The Gup of Gangtey Gewog said that in response to growing concerns over waste management in the gewog, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has deployed two De-suups to support cleanup efforts in the area. Recognizing the need for immediate action, the PMO intervened by assigning two De-suups to work with local authorities and residents to address the waste issue. The Gup expressed his appreciation for the government’s timely support and emphasized the need for a long-term waste management strategy that includes public awareness, stricter monitoring, and designated waste disposal facilities.

Tenzin, a concerned resident of Phobjikha Gewog, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the deteriorating condition of the temporary huts at Lawala, a key viewpoint along the route to Gangtey-Phobjikha. Once known for its scenic beauty and panoramic views of the valley, the area is now cluttered with waste, including plastics, cigarette butts, and animal droppings.

He shared that the situation has become an eyesore, especially since Lawala serves as a popular stop for both local and international visitors. “Lawala is a beautiful place where everyone comes to enjoy the view, but now it is filled with garbage. It would be a shame if tourists come all the way to witness our pristine environment only to be greeted by such a mess,” he said.

According to Tenzin, the temporary huts—set up by local shopkeepers during the tourist season—are often left abandoned during the off-season. These plastic-covered structures not only spoil the natural aesthetics of the area but also contribute to increasing waste, as they are not regularly cleaned or dismantled when not in use. He further added that some domestic animals frequent the area, leaving behind waste, which adds to the unhygienic condition.

Tenzin believes that immediate attention is required to prevent further damage to the image of Phobjikha as an eco-tourism destination. “As a resident who cares for this place, I humbly request the authorities to either stop allowing shopkeepers to set up stalls at Lawala or shift the temporary huts to a more suitable location where they can be better managed,” he urged.

Desuup Madhan Kumar Rai shared that in April this year, Desuups received deployment messages from the Desuung Office in Wangduephodrang. The initial communication indicated that they were assigned for a one-month mandate focusing on river cleanliness. However, upon deployment in May, they learned that the project was intended for a longer duration, not just a month as initially stated.

Following their deployment, the Desuups began inspecting waste conditions in and around the main river flowing through Gangtey-Phobji. They soon received their Area Specific Operational Plan (ASOP), which outlined their responsibilities to monitor waste along the river and its streams.

“In line with our duties, we also reached out to the Gangtey Gewog office and introduced ourselves formally. Beyond the ASOP responsibilities, we expressed our willingness to contribute more for the benefit of the community and the local people here. We believe that working closely with the gewog administration can enhance the impact of our efforts,” said Madhan Kumar Rai.

After their engagement with the gewog, they began their fieldwork in earnest. The team inspected all critical areas that required immediate clean-up and initiated physical waste collection using sacks and gloves. In addition to the clean-up work, they were required to submit daily reports documenting the number of sacks collected. These reports were monitored and supervised by the National Environment Officer in Wangduephodrang.

Desuups deployed under a national initiative received a virtual briefing from the PMO and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) through a Zoom meeting, where they were provided with more clarity on the coordination and objectives of the project.

According to the briefing, the initiative is directly coordinated by the PMO and aims primarily to address youth unemployment. The program, funded by MoICE, seeks to engage youth meaningfully while supporting national goals such as environmental protection and sustainable development.

As part of their fieldwork, on July 15 the Desuups observed a growing concern at Lawala Chorten, a site known for its scenic beauty and a key stop for tourists. They highlighted that temporary huts, often made of plastic materials, are set up during the tourist season. However, during the off-season, these structures are left abandoned, turning the area into an eyesore filled with waste. The surroundings are poorly maintained, leaving a negative impression on visitors.

In response to the issue, the Desuups are initiating awareness campaigns targeting hotels and restaurants in the area. Their key focus areas include raising awareness on proper waste management, encouraging segregation of waste before disposal, monitoring landfills, and ensuring proper utilization of landfill sites. They also emphasized that non-compliance with waste management regulations will lead to penalties. Additionally, burning of waste has been strictly prohibited under the campaign.

The Desuups aim to ensure that the natural and cultural beauty of Lawala Chorten is preserved while aligning their efforts with the broader vision of the national initiative.