Chamoli: During this year’s Char Dham yatra, 170 tons of non-biodegradable waste were generated from Badrinath Dham and its surroundings. The Nagar Panchayat Badrinath managed to earn approximately 8 lakh rupees by selling 100 tons of this waste.
Additionally, they earned 1.76 crore rupees from the eco-tourism fee. The Nagar Panchayat Badrinath is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and promoting eco-tourism in Badrinath Dham.
Nagar Panchayat looks after cleanliness in country’s first village Mana and Badrinath temple area
Last year, the Chamoli district administration entrusted the Nagar Panchayat with the responsibility of cleaning and parking in Mana, the country’s first village. Additionally, due to negligence by the BKTC cleaning workers in maintaining the temple premises, the Nagar Panchayat has also taken over the cleaning duties in the temple area.
Nagar panchayat earned Rs 27,23,000 under eco-tourism
This year, the Nagar Panchayat earned substantial revenue, earning Rs 27.23 lakh from Heli companies under the eco-tourism fee, Rs 29.48 lakh from parking fees at Mana, and Rs 37.28 lakh from the temple committee. In and around the Badrinath Dham area, more than 170 tons of non-organic waste was collected. The Nagar Panchayat recycled and sold 100 tons of this waste, earning Rs 8 lakh from the sales. Sunil Purohit, the Executive Officer of Badrinath Dham Nagar Panchayat, said, “Over 170 tons of non-organic waste had been collected up until 12 November this Yatra season.”
Digital refund system was effective
After implementing QR codes on plastic products in Badrinath Dham, the Nagar Panchayat introduced the Digital Refund System (DRS). This system encourages devotees and tourists to return plastic waste. A refundable deposit is collected when purchasing plastic items from shops in the Dham. Once the plastic is returned after use, the deposit amount is refunded. According to the Badrinath Nagar Panchayat, most of the tourists adopted this system and helped us in maintaining cleanliness in and around Badrinath shrine area.
