Tourism trash trouble: Leh struggles with mounting garbage woes

Every summer, the population of Ladakh, a northern union territory, experiences a significant increase. The local population of approximately 274,000 nearly doubles as around 300,000 tourists flock to the region.

According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals have seen a dramatic rise, from 16,449 in 1994 to about 279,000 in 2019. While this surge in tourism has boosted the economy in job-scarce Ladakh, it has also placed a considerable strain on the region’s natural resources.

Leh is grappling with a mounting garbage problem, according to local residents. The issue intensifies during the tourist season, with daily solid waste generation reaching 12 to 13 tonnes from the city’s 13 wards. This waste comprises 9-10 tonnes of dry waste and 2-3 tonnes of wet waste.

The influx of tourists has led to a significant increase in the amount of waste generated in Leh. In 2010, the town produced around 4 metric tons of garbage per day. By 2019, this figure had nearly doubled to 7.5 metric tons. The majority of this waste is non-biodegradable, including plastic bottles, food packaging, and disposable utensils.

Tourism trash trouble

Leh, a major tourist destination, sees a significant influx of domestic and international tourists every summer. While tourism boosts the region’s economy, it also leads to an increase in garbage, particularly plastic waste, due to irresponsible disposal by visitors. The city, being the primary hub of Ladakh, bears the brunt of this increased garbage.

According to the report of Mongabay India, The disposal of this waste presents a significant challenge due to Leh’s high altitude and harsh weather conditions. The problem is further exacerbated by the lack of a comprehensive policy for waste management in major tourist destinations like Ladakh.

The municipal corporation of Leh is struggling to cope with the growing volume of waste. The town's sole landfill site is rapidly filling up, and there is a shortage of trained personnel and equipment for proper waste collection and disposal. This has led to the illegal dumping of garbage in open spaces, along riverbanks, and even in sacred places, posing serious environmental and health risks.

According to the Leh Municipal Committee, the amount of garbage generated in the city varies with the seasons. During the winter months, when tourist numbers are low, the city produces around 3-4 tonnes of dry garbage daily. However, this figure jumps to 9-10 tonnes during the tourist season.

Data presented by the Ladakh administration to the National Green Tribunal reveals a fluctuating pattern of waste generation in Leh and Kargil, Ladakh’s two largest cities. The amount of waste produced correlates with the season and human activities in the region. The figures indicate a significant difference in waste generation between the two cities during the tourist season, with Leh producing 274 tonnes more waste than Kargil.

Leh's mounting garbage challenge

The surge in tourism in Ladakh has undoubtedly boosted the local economy and created job opportunities. However, it has also led to significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning waste disposal. The influx of tourists has resulted in a growing problem of garbage and plastic waste, with the existing infrastructure struggling to manage the waste effectively. This has had a detrimental impact on Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem.

Aparajita Goswami of Zero Waste Ladakh highlighted this issue, stating, “Ladakh has always been a Zero Waste society. But with the opening of Ladakh to the outside world, the contents of the local waste changed, comprising a large portion of inorganic materials such as plastics, cement, glass, metals, ceramics, polyester, rubber and much more. Thus, waste proliferation and pollution of the pristine environment have become the most pressing concerns in Ladakh.”

Konchok Norgay, who works with SECMOL (Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh) and HIAL (Himalayan Institute Alternative Ladakh), echoed these sentiments. He explained how Ladakh is being “loved to death” by the uncontrolled influx of tourists.

He said, “In tourist season, every day, 300-600 cars visit Pangong Lake carrying approximately four persons per car and each passenger buying at least four single-use plastic bottles. All these 5,000-10,000 bottles are recklessly littered in the valley without thinking who will clean up their mess once their trip ends. Since there is no proper waste management system in Ladakh, the plastic waste remains discarded forever in the open area, sometimes reaching inaccessible lands where tourists can’t reach.”

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