The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As winter approaches, there are also concerns about pollution from waste burning and the compounding effects of vehicular emission in the city.
However, according to the Chief Environment Officer (CEO) of Thimphu Thromde, the issue of waste burning is very minimal in Thimphu as the Thromde receives as little as one or two cases of reported open waste burning. Main channels include CCTV monitoring and complaining to the Thromde in person.
There are reports from locals around Thimphu saying that open waste burning is still being seen in different parts of the city, particularly in the Zilukha and Hejo area and areas with new construction where the wood shavings are burnt.
According to the CEO, any act of open waste burning would be penalized with Nu 3,000.
Air pollution pressures stemming from the open burning of waste also remain a focal point for environmental regulators. The official noted that mitigating the practice requires parallel advancements in systemic waste management including enhanced prevention, segregation, collection, recycling, and resource recovery.
A Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) official said that the department is continuing to collaborate with relevant agencies and local authorities to curb inappropriate disposal methods and minimize activities that degrade air quality and public health.
Outside Thimphu and monitoring industries
The coming winter raises concerns for areas exposed to areas with potentially higher risk to industrial emissions and pollution such as the Norbugang Industrial Hub and areas such as Pasakha Industrial Park among others.
While no immediate impacts have been recorded so far, questions about the impacts in the longer run still remain and it can have detrimental impacts on the respiratory health.
“Industries are important for our economic growth but we also need to ensure that there is compliance with our environmental standards.”
Besides this response, The Bhutanese has yet to receive any information from DECC regarding industrial emission monitoring and regulation in the Norbugang area and regarding industries.
