𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

…𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒋𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚

By LhendupWangmo

Samphelling Gewog has launched a Zero Waste Hour awareness program aimed at restoring the community’s commitment to proper waste management and aligning it with practices in other villages across the gewog.
The initiative saw active participation from residents, reinforcing a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility. Local leaders emphasized that the long-term success of the program depends on residents maintaining their efforts beyond the awareness campaign.

Samphelling Gup Ram Kumar Rai said, “Gewog initially faced several challenges in enforcing and monitoring the Zero Waste policy. In the early days, one of the biggest hurdles was the community’s lack of awareness. The concept of Zero Waste Hour was entirely new, and many residents were unsure about what it meant or how they were expected to participate. It took time, effort, and repeated explanations to help people understand its purpose and why their involvement was important.”

He added, “Tshogchhuna’s situation was unlike other villages in the gewog. While it was home to native villagers, it also had a significant population of tenants living in rental accommodations, many of whom worked in Phuentsholing town or at the Pasakha industrial area. Their work schedules often clashed with the designated Zero Waste Hour, making it difficult for them to consistently join the activities. Despite these early obstacles, the community has made remarkable progress over the years. Awareness programs, regular community meetings, and the determination of local leaders have played a vital role in changing attitudes. Gradually, both permanent residents and those living temporarily in the village began finding ways to manage their time so they could contribute, even if it meant adjusting their personal routines.”

“Today, you can see a big difference. People from all walks of life here, whether they have lived in Tshogchhuna for generations or are only here for a short while, are working together. They have understood that keeping the community clean benefits everyone. It has become less about obligation and more about shared responsibility, and that is something we can all be proud of,” he said.

Karma Tshewang, the Dzongkhag Environmental Officer, said that the benefits of a consistent Zero Waste Hour are both clear and far-reaching. “In communities that have maintained the practice, we’ve seen a significant reduction in littering and illegal dumping. Streets and public spaces are cleaner, drains are free-flowing, and local streams are no longer choked with waste,” he said.

He added that the program’s success depends not only on individual households but also on collective participation across the gewog. “Their active involvement has strengthened the program’s impact and helped establish a culture of cleanliness that reaches every corner of the community,” Karma said.

“Now, with the renewed awareness program, we are seeing promising signs of engagement. People are not just cleaning for one hour; they are beginning to understand that waste management is a shared responsibility. From students at schools to employees in offices, and even the Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bhutan Police, and regional offices like Druk Green Power Corporation, Chhukha Hydropower Plant, and Bhutan Power Corporation Limited, everyone is pitching in. This collective effort ensures that the benefits are long-lasting and not just temporary,” he added.

Karma stressed the importance of consistency and long-term commitment. “The Zero Waste Hour can only truly succeed if the community continues beyond awareness campaigns. It’s about creating a habit, instilling a mindset where people recognize that maintaining a clean environment is not someone else’s job; it’s everyone’s responsibility. Even small, regular actions—picking up litter, clearing drains, segregating waste—can have a huge impact over time,” he said.

Rinchen, the Tshogpa, said the renewed awareness program is crucial for the community’s well-being. “When we stopped the Zero Waste Hour, waste started piling up quickly, and even small streams were getting clogged with plastic and other debris. It was a warning sign that we cannot take cleanliness for granted,” Rinchen said.

He explained that the program is not just about cleaning for a single day but about instilling a sense of responsibility among all residents. “This initiative reminds everyone that waste management is not someone else’s job; it is everyone’s responsibility. From children to elders, everyone has a part to play in keeping our village clean,” he said.
“For this program to succeed, people need to actively participate week after week, not just during awareness campaigns. If we all contribute regularly, it will prevent waste from accumulating, protect our local water sources, and improve overall hygiene in the village,” he added.

Ajay Mongar, a villager of Samphelling Gewog, said, “This kind of initiative is very useful. Before, the area around our homes and the main streets was often dirty, with litter scattered everywhere. Now, after the Zero Waste Hour program, the streets are much cleaner, and even small drains and streams are no longer clogged with waste. It has really changed how people think about their surroundings.”

He added, “I also appreciate how it brings the community together. Neighbors who never spoke to each other are now working side by side to clean the area. It’s not just about removing trash; it’s about building cooperation, respect, and responsibility among everyone in the village. I have started involving my children too, so they can learn early about the importance of keeping our environment clean. I hope more villagers will see the long-term benefits and continue participating every week.”

Karma Thinley, a 57-year-old villager, said, “As a farmer, I know that waste near homes and streams can create breeding grounds for insects and diseases. Participating in the Zero Waste Hour has reduced such risks. Our surroundings are cleaner, and it feels safer for my family and neighbors. I have noticed fewer mosquitoes and pests near our home and farm areas, and the water in small streams is much clearer than before.”

He added that the program encourages everyone to contribute in small but meaningful ways. “Even if I cannot spend the full hour, I pick up trash near my fields and drains. It’s amazing how everyone’s small efforts add up to a big difference. When I see my neighbors also cleaning their surroundings, it motivates me even more. Children and elders in the village are also taking part, which is wonderful because it teaches responsibility and hygiene habits from a young age. Clean surroundings have made our village more attractive and welcoming. Visitors and people passing through have commented on how tidy our streets and drains are now. This encourages everyone to maintain the standards. Over time, I believe this will create a lasting culture of cleanliness and health consciousness in the entire gewog,” he said.