Before It Melts...

Our ancestors left us with such a beautiful land and we as their proud descendants should be obliged to do the same thing for the coming generations. Today, environmental pollution is starting to show adverse effects in the Himalayas. It is evident that air we breathe today is no longer pure and refreshing as we once felt years ago. Most people here tend to associate pollution with motor vehicle emission, and that is true but what we tend to overlook is the mundane actions of littering and discharging waste in an irresponsible way. These collective actions are turning parts of Ladakh into landfills, destroying our scenic environment and natural resource. Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places on earth and that is why millions all over the world flock to this place just to take a glimpse of our rocky mountains and beautiful lakes. Tourism is booming, many Ladakhi who used to work in hard labour and agriculture practices are now in the travel industry. Modernization has improved lives and transformed our society but are we happier if money is made but our land and souls are tainted? Do we just stand there and shake our heads helplessly? No! We MUST create awareness and take actions to solve the problem. Today tourism accounts for more than 50% of the total pollutions in Ladakh. It is degrading our ecology and environment, which is the very source of nature that provided income and opportunities for tourism from the very beginning. I am always amazed by the number of tourists flooding Ladakh each year during summer but appalled by the number of waste we found after most people left Ladakh in the cold Autumn. I caught myself wondering and getting more anxious about the number of waste and stress we are adding on to Mother nature from year to year. With all due respect for our guests, I must say that my only concern here is the health of our environment that has been embracing us for millenniums. I am aware that pollution is caused not only by tourists but also by locals who lack the understanding of environmental sustainability. Documentaries, speeches, and camps were made in the past but they aren't enough. Concrete steps must be taken. Pristine areas that were once far and untouched by pollution are suffering the same consequences. With plastic wrappers flying in the air and plastic bottles blocking our narrow streams, it doesn’t seem long before we start running out of clean water. Let’s take the natural frozen river, Chadar in Ladakh as an example. Chadar isn’t just a frozen river; it is also a medium of transportation in the winter that connects people to their homes and dear ones in remote villages. In recent years, Chadar has started attracting massive numbers of tourists and people never fail to be charmed by its beauty. Sadly, we've found a tremendous amount of waste accumulated along the river. What’s more, if our global temperature continues to rise, imagine what would happen if Chadar is no longer a frozen river: hundreds of villages would be disconnected from cities and people wouldn’t be able to return to their homes. The effect of pollution is manifested in many ways such as climate change and global warming. All these affect not only our lives but in long run planet earth as a whole and the wellness of our coming generations. As a Ladakhi myself, it really worries me to see our current attitude towards the environment. I am neither a great scientist nor a politician, but I hope that I can present you here a clear message from nature: we need help. As a citizen, a voter and a human being, I would like to suggest several solutions to the public: 1) The imposition of strict rules and penalties for littering and polluting the environment. 2) The regulation of the number of tourists to pristine areas. 3) Better agriculture education, equipment, and a direct market should be made available. 4) Environmental education should be made mandatory across all institutions. Tourist guides who are the backbone of tourism in Ladakh should also be well taught and trained in the same manner. Last, I would like to reiterate that I respect and acknowledge the positive effects of tourism in Ladakh but what I am against here are the bad practices that stem from the industry. Everything must be done in moderation. My intention here is to improve the environment. The warning bell has long gone but it is never too late to do the right thing. Ladakh is still breathing, and let's keep it alive. -Deachan Chuskit-
P.S- please stthe you tube channel
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