52-Foot-High Garbage Mountain In Rishikesh A Major Cause For Concern In The 'Yoga City'

A 52-foot high garbage mountain, just 70 meters from the Ganges River in Rishikesh, is causing serious concern for locals and tourists.

The 52-foot-high mountain of garbage in Rishikesh.

Source : दानिश खान

The rapid urbanisation and consumerist culture in India has led to mountains of garbage in various parts of the country. Rishikesh, famous for yoga, spirituality and peace, is no exception. Nestled in the Shivalik hills, where the Ganga flows, the city is now struggling with a mountain of garbage. This problem not only affects the environment but also has a profound impact on the social, cultural, and religious environment of the city.

A 52-foot-high garbage mountain, located just 70 metres from the Ganges River in Rishikesh, has become a serious concern for local residents and tourists. Hundreds of tonnes of garbage have accumulated in this mountain. Rishikesh, where people come to experience peace and nature, is now losing its identity due to the piles of garbage. This problem has been growing steadily over the past 22 years, and efforts to solve it have been negligible.

Urbanisation And Lack Of Waste Management Plan

Urbanisation and population growth have exacerbated the problem. The lack of a garbage management plan by the municipal corporation and local administration is responsible for this situation. While states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have made commendable progress in their garbage disposal, Uttarakhand lags in this regard. The accumulation of garbage on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh is a time bomb waiting to explode into an environmental crisis, leading to water pollution, air pollution and health problems.

In recent years, "mobile culture" has given tourism a different direction. Taking pictures in the snow and posting pictures of eating Maggi in the mountains in the summer has become a new trend. But the garbage generated during these tourism activities is not managed. Tourists who take to rafting and camping on the banks of the Ganga often leave plastic and other waste behind without any concern for the place.

Solid Waste Management Plant In Rishikesh

The central government had launched a Rs 3,000-crore scheme for garbage management. Under this, states were required to play an active role. But in states like Uttarakhand, this initiative is moving at a snail's pace. A Solid Waste Management Plant is being built in Lalpani in Rishikesh, but there is no clarity on when it will be completed.

Experts say that India produces about 5 lakh tonnes of garbage every day. Most of this garbage is not managed properly. Across the country, 15,000 acres of land are covered with mountains of garbage. If this problem is not solved soon, it will continue to pollute land, water and air.

Rishikesh is not just a city, but a symbol of Indian culture, spirituality and environmental protection. The sanctity of the Ganges and the natural beauty of the Shivalik hills attract people here. But the mountains of garbage are tarnishing the image of this holy city.