At a time when the garbage disposal system is not functioning efficiently even in the State capital Dehradun, the level of civic sanitation has fallen to alarming levels in mountain towns like Chamba in Tehri district. Most of the solid waste from this town is dumped at a site along the national highway to Uttarkashi. This garbage dump not only poses a serious public health risk but is also affecting the social, cultural and historic identity of this town.
Tourists either visit Chamba or pass through this town throughout the year, inspite of which the authorities have remained apathetic to the need for a proper garbage disposal system. The locals have been demanding for many years now that the garbage be removed but the authorities have taken no concrete action in this regard so far.
When the sun comes out after the rains, the decomposing mass releases a putrid stink that is unbearable for locals and passers by.
Already, conjunctivitis and other diseases are catching hold of locals in the area. As the dump is situated along the national highway, even people from other places are affected. Hundreds of school children commute on this road everyday, exposed to health risks posed by this open garbage dump. Due to the improper waste management in Chamba town, garbage has become a common sight in most localities of the town. There are piles of garbage to be found at various sites on the roads to Rishikesh and Mussoorie Road also. In addition to posing a public health risk, the garbage also attracts monkeys
who have become a serious menace for the locals.
Even as Chamba is being sought to be developed as a tourist destination, the garbage tells another story, irretrievably damaging its image. The dumping of garbage by the highway has also increased chances of landslides. Social activists Darshan lal Saklani, Sanjay Kumar and many others have warned that, if the problem is not solved soon, they would be forced to launch a
major agitation.
The Chamba Nagar Panchayat executive officer, Ml Shah said that land has been sought from the Forest Department for use as a trenching ground.