The busy tourist resorts and trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh produce about 3000 tonnes of garbage every year, and if the lockdown stays till June 30, the state would be saved from generating another 3000 tonnes of trash.
According to a report published in TOI, popular tourist spots like Manali, Shimla, Dharamsala and Dalhousie among others generate 150 tonnes of trash every single day during mid-May to June end and almost half of the amount during lean season.
According to the reports, while Manali produces 30-40 tonnes of garbage every day during peak tourist season, Shimla generates 60-90 tonnes of garbage daily. On the other hand, Dalhousie and Dharamsala generate up to 30 tonnes of garbage during the regular season, but the number goes up significantly during the tourist season.
Himachal Pradesh generates the maximum amount of garbage in May and June when people from plains head to the mountains to cool off. Reportedly, the garbage generation in the state’s hill station has gone down to an unusual amount during the lockdown season.
What’s happening now?
According to Narain Verma, Municipal Council Executive Officer, Manali, the hill station is producing only 10 percent of the usual garbage. Presently, the city has been generating refuse-derived fuel (RDF) of the garbage and giving it to the cement factory disposal.
Himachal Pradesh is a magnet for seasoned travellers and tourists. It has been estimated that more than 30 lakhs tourists visit the state during summers. It is also a season when a lot of trash is generated from hotels, markets, streets, trekking routes and places of tourist interest.
Due to the absence of tourists during lockdown, the water bodies in Himachal Pradesh have become cleaner.
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