Nexus Between Tourism and Plastic Pollution
Editor,
The tourism industry in our state has been steadily growing, drawing visitors from across the globe with its captivating blend of nature, culture, and adventure which offers a unique and enriching travel experience, whether one is seeking serenity, exploration, or cultural immersion. As tourism evolved in our State as per reports it is expected that the annual tourist footfall will cross 15 lakhs by 2024. This steadily increasing tourism footfall has undoubtedly brought about several positive economic impacts, but it has also posed great environmental challenges as increased tourism often brings with it pollution, including littering and improper waste disposal.
The news report published in November 2018 have highlighted baseline data on the amount of garbage produced in tourist areas of Shillong and its potential to turn into an unmanageable threat if effective waste management systems are not implemented at the earliest. Although the tourism industry in our state is a significant source of employment and accounts for roughly 4.1% of the State’s GSDP according to data published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Meghalaya 2019-20, however, this also results in a significant volume of waste and pollution, placing immense pressure on the capacities of local waste disposal and management systems. Another major issue is the improper disposal of single-use plastics into the streams which has transformed once-pure water bodies such as Umshyrpi, Umkhrah and Umiam lake into nothing more than big sewage drains.
Irresponsible tourism has furthermore compounded the issue, with popular tourist spots bearing the negative impacts of unruly behaviour exhibited by visitors making destinations less attractive and have a significant adverse impact on the environment. When the Committee on Environment from the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly conducted their inspection of Umiam Lake, they were confronted with a distressing sight. The extent of plastic pollution in the lake and the surrounding streams in this had reached alarming levels. In their report, the committee articulated their astonishment at the extraordinary quantity of garbage visibly floating on the lake’s surface. They emphasized that, although a substantial portion of the waste had already settled at the lake’s bottom, a lot was floating at the top.
While tourism contributes to our waste problem, this sector can also be part of the solution by raising awareness about plastic pollution and contribute to its reduction by encouraging tourists to adopt responsible practices to preserve the beauty of our state by taking action to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated and especially to practice proper disposal. Therefore adequate waste collection and disposal systems should be in place in tourist hotspots. A concerted effort from the government, communities, and individuals are required to ensure a sustainable and enjoyable travel experience for current and future generations which in turn can make tourism one of a larger number of ways to help meet conservation goals, while also addressing people’s livelihood needs to mitigate the negative environmental impacts through responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Thus, it is essential to balance between reaping the benefits of tourism and ensuring its sustainability for future generations while addressing any associated challenges, such as environmental conservation and responsible tourism management.
Yours etc.,
Ripalei Lyngdoh Mawphlang,
Via email
Horrific noise pollution
Editor,
It is absolutely maddening to witness the complete disregard for the well-being of the citizens in the face of escalating noise pollution in our beloved city. I implore the relevant authorities to cease all vehicular movement through Police Bazar, especially now that the festive season is upon us. The bustling market area is overrun with a sea of people, and the incessant vehicular honking has transformed this otherwise vibrant place into a deafening nightmare. It’s evident that the government’s ill-conceived notion of ridding the area of hawkers has not only failed miserably but has exacerbated the problem. The road leading from Jhalupara to Barapathar is yet another battleground for noise pollution, where reckless drivers maneuver vehicles larger than the road itself with impunity. The administration’s apathy towards improving our city’s services is nothing short of infuriating. If they cannot remedy this traffic nightmare, they should swallow their pride and seek expertise from outside. We demand accountability; after all, where is the hard-earned money of taxpayers going if our government can’t even provide basic facilities?
Yours etc.,
R Sarki
Shillong
Gandhi’s idealism
Editor,
The Birth anniversary of M.K Gandhi is observed in our country ritualistically mainly through programmes hosted by Governments barring a few national political parties who try to portray themselves as followers of Gandhi’s ideals. However, it is surprising that hardly any regional political party of Meghalaya had ever organized any function to commemorate Gandhi’s birth anniversary. It can thus be construed that Gandhi or his ideals have no appeal to such political outfits today. It is high time to dispassionately review and analyze Gandhi’s political views, social theory, relation between different faiths and his relevance in present day world and put those in the right perspective. Although a section of people still consider Gandhi and his principles as sacrosanct and beyond any criticism, the partition of India leading to millions of deaths is testimony of the monumental failure of his theory of non- violence. The partition of India had inflicted stupendous human sufferings and deaths of unarmed civilians (without any war) and are comparable only to Hitler’s extermination of Jews during the Second World War. Hitler, however, was not a votary of peace but Gandhi was. His famous quote “India’s partition will be over my dead body,” was nothing but rhetoric.
Similarly, Gandhi’s views on Mooplah massacre that “Hindus should not harbour anger against Muslims even if the latter want to destroy and kill us all. We should face death bravely. If Muslims established their rule after killing all Hindus we would be ushering in a new India. None should fear death. Birth and death are inevitable for every human being. Why should we then rejoice or grieve? If we die with a smile we shall enter into a new life, we shall be ushering in a new India.” (April, 6, 1945) drew B.R. Ambedkar’s ire and he wrote in his book, ‘Pakistan or Partition of India’, how Gandhi’s so-called dream of ‘Hindu-Muslim unity’ led to Hindu genocide in the southern part of the country. According to Ambedkar, the genocide in Mooplah was nothing more than Jihad. However, as per Gandhi, it was the Mooplah rebellion, that was part of the Indian freedom struggle.
Yours etc.,
N.K. Kehar
Shillong-3
Stringent action for dumping garbage in drains & rivers
Editor,
It is indeed heartening to witness people coming out on October 1st and 2nd equipped with brooms, dustpans, hoes, and shovels. This collective endeavor reflects a great sense of shared responsibility, resonating with the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi. A cleaner, healthier environment has long been a cause that Gandhi has championed. Thus, the Bharat Swachchta Abhiyan of the national government is certainly a fitting tribute to his legacy.
However, amid this enthusiastic display of community participation in cleanliness, a disheartening reality has completely marred this whole exercise. It has often been noticed that many individuals thoughtlessly dump their garbage in drains and along riverbanks. Piles of garbage, often packed in sacks or plastic carry bags, are just thrown in drains and water bodies. What is worse is that items such as hard wood, tin, shoes, and broken furniture also end up in these drainages and rivulets.
Such reckless behaviour not only obstructs the normal flow of drainage systems but also poses a grave threat to the environment and ecosystem. If I am not mistaken, the authorities concerned have enacted laws for the punitive penalties for such offenses. But, I wonder, how many have been penalized so far? I think none. Therefore, people continue to throw debris into drains and waterways with impunity.
The reluctance of authorities to enforce these penalties effectively is no less an offense. It is important that they adopt a more resolute stance, taking swift and stringent measures to check such acts of irresponsibility. Only through the determinedly committed posture of the authorities and the collective support of each individual citizen can we hope to honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and secure a cleaner, greener future for our communities.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong