Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025 09:30 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Mar 17, 2025 16:19 [IST]
Recently, two tourists from Denmark were seen picking up
trash along the route to Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim. Their simple yet
powerful act of responsible tourism stands in stark contrast to the neglect
often shown by domestic travellers. While their initiative was applauded, it
also serves as a moment of introspection—why must it take foreign visitors to
remind us of our own responsibility?
Sikkim, a much favoured holiday destination in the
country, is not immune to the reckless attitude of tourists who leave behind
plastic bottles, snack wrappers, and other waste. Despite repeated awareness
campaigns and the state’s plastic ban, the littering continues. Yumthang
Valley, known as the “Valley of Flowers,” should be a symbol of pristine
beauty, not human negligence. That foreigners found it necessary to clean up
after others is not a moment of pride but a reminder of our collective failure.
Tourism contributes significantly to Sikkim’s economy,
yet irresponsible behaviour threatens the very landscapes that attract
visitors. The irony is glaring—locals and domestic tourists, who should be the
primary custodians of these fragile ecosystems, often fail to respect them. The
situation raises an urgent question: If outsiders can show such care for our
environment, why can’t we?
This incident also highlights the lack of accountability
in India’s tourism sector. Most hill stations and ecologically sensitive
regions suffer from unchecked tourism, with waste management systems either poorly
implemented or entirely absent. Local authorities must enforce stricter
regulations, such as penalizing littering and ensuring that tourist hotspots
have adequate waste disposal infrastructure. Hotels, homestays, and tour
operators must also take responsibility, educating guests on sustainable
practices.
More importantly, environmental consciousness must begin
at home. Schools should incorporate lessons on eco-responsibility, and families
must instill the habit of leaving places cleaner than they were found.
Campaigns should not merely be symbolic gestures but community-driven efforts
that yield tangible results. The change must be cultural, not occasional.
The Danish tourists’ action is a humbling lesson. Their
willingness to clean up a foreign land should serve as a wake-up call for both
tourists and residents. Responsible tourism is not a choice—it is a necessity.
If we continue to treat our natural heritage with disregard, we risk not only
losing its beauty but also its economic viability. The responsibility to
preserve the splendour of Sikkim—and all of India—rests not with visitors, but
with us. Let us not wait for another group of foreigners to remind us of our
duty.