𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐢 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧-𝐔𝐩 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧

…𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒍

By Leki Chungdon

In Gola town under Tashicholing Gewog, Samtse Dzongkhag, a group of taxi drivers has taken the initiative to keep their parking area clean by collecting waste every other day. Their efforts, however, face challenges from persistent littering, particularly when the parking lot is empty. Residents suspect that individuals passing through at night discard bottles, plastic wrappers, and papers, leaving the space untidy by morning.

The taxi drivers’ commitment has drawn appreciation, but they stress that public cooperation is essential. They are urging community members to dispose of waste properly and join in keeping Gola town clean.
Dorji, the Taxi Association Coordinator of Namgaychoeling village under Tashicholing Dungkhag, said almost every taxi driver participates in cleaning the parking area. “We do not clean every single day, but whenever the place becomes dirty, we take the initiative. Most of the time, His Majesty visits Samtse, and we feel it is our duty to ensure that our surroundings are kept clean,” he said.

According to Dorji, although no request was made for cleaning this time, a few taxi drivers voluntarily carried out the work. “In Gola town, we have both the Royal Bhutan Army and the Royal Bhutan Police. They may not be the ones littering. From what I have observed, the problem mostly comes from the public living in the town. Some passengers discard their rubbish after use, and some residents leave household waste in sacks in the parking area,” he explained.
Dorji added that he raised the issue with the Thromde Thuemi but no action has been taken. “While we do our best to maintain cleanliness, we receive no support from the Gewog or Dzongkhag administrations. Whatever we do, we do voluntarily because we believe it is our responsibility as citizens to contribute to the well-being of our community,” he said.

Som Kumar Pradhan, the Thromde Ngotshab of Samtse Thromde, said the authorities plan to conduct awareness programmes in Gola town to tackle the waste issue. “In Samtse town, the waste monitoring team already visits the town three times a week to ensure proper management,” he said. “We have carried out awareness programmes in the past, and now we have moved a step further by implementing penalties and fines alongside continued sensitization efforts.”

He emphasized that waste management cannot rest solely with authorities. “It begins with each individual. When citizens take the initiative, as some have already begun to do, they set a powerful example and pave the way for future generations to adopt responsible waste practices,” he said.

Pradhan further highlighted the importance of social responsibility. “Every citizen must understand the real impact of waste and careless littering, not only on the environment but also on public health. If we fail to act responsibly today, the consequences tomorrow could affect the well-being of our families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” he added.

“The area looks clean and hygienic, creating a pleasant atmosphere where passengers can relax while waiting for a taxi,” said Durga Ghalley, a taxi driver from Tashichholing. “We usually organize cleaning on the second day of every month, and everyone takes part. But today I found the place very dirty. Most of the waste we find consists of plastic wrappers and bottles, which pose a serious threat to our environment. Keeping the area clean is only possible if we cooperate with one another. Without collective effort, it becomes very difficult to maintain cleanliness. I would like to appeal to everyone to keep our surroundings clean and cooperate so that together we can ensure our hometown and our country remain clean and hygienic for generations to come.”

Dal Bdr Mongar, another taxi driver from Tashichholing, said they carry out cleaning work as a voluntary initiative for the sake of the environment and public hygiene. “We usually clean twice a week, and today only two of us drivers were involved. At times, more than 40 drivers come together to clean the parking area,” he said.
According to Dal Bdr, most of the waste collected consists of plastic water bottles, doma packets, and other common litter. “I believe our efforts are making a significant difference. Beyond keeping the area clean, we also hope to motivate the public to adopt better habits and take responsibility for the environment,” he said.
He appealed to the community to dispose of waste properly. “We would like to urge everyone to throw garbage only in designated areas. If we all cooperate, we can maintain a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone,” he added.