Environment
Bijli Mahadev cleaning campaign by YATN
On August 5, 2012 YATN, a Kullu based non-profit organization, executed a cleaning campaign to remove the garbage from the surrounding area of the 3 KM Bijli Mahadev trek, used by approximately 10,000 pilgrims and tourist every day in the month of Savan.
Press Release
Yatn is a Volunteer Non government organization Working in the field of Child Education,Environment protection,Health & general awareness.
Bijli Mahadev is one of the sacred temples of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located at an altitude of about 2,438 m in the Kullu Valley. Located 10 km from Kullu across the Beas River, it can be approached by a rewarding trek of 3 KM. A panoramic view of Kullu and Paravati valleys can be seen from the temple.
The 60 feet high staff of the Bijli Mahadev temple glistens like a silver needle in the sun. In this temple of lightning it is said that the tall staff attracts the divine blessings in the form of lightning. It is believed that the priest of the temple has to restore the Shiva linga placed inside the temple using butter and sattoo after every lightning as it shatters to pieces with a flash of lightning.
This mountain top is not under municipality area that’s why there is the serious problem of garbage collection and disposal. Very few dustbins installed surrounding the temple but they are in bad condition. Most of the garbage is burned by the peoples which create the air pollution problem. So burning the waste is not the final solution to manage garbage. Some of the government agencies did their best to manage the waste every year but not satisfactory. Most of the agencies collect garbage only surrounding the temple area but they did not cover the 3 KM trek. Which is a garbage prone area and there is no any collection system. Kullu based YATN non-profit organization took the steps n August 5, 2012 to collect garbage in this trek. Approximately 10,000 pilgrimages passed through this track every day in Savan month. They bring plastic bottles, snacks and plastic cover commodities. They throw here and there this garbage because there is no provision of dustbins.
YATN found most of the garbage sources are small tea stall on the trek. One day study on garbage by YATN found that 11/2 quintals non-biodegradable waste (NBW). In this waste most of the plastic wrapper and plastic bottle found. According to president of YATN Mr. Gourav Bhardwaj our motive is not only to collect and transport waste but we want to aware pilgrimages. For this purpose 5000 information pamphlets were distributed. Some of the pilgrimages were interviewed and they accept their unawareness for garbage. Some of pilgrimages come forward and collect waste with volunteers. After collecting the solid waste, transportation work was supported by Yuvak Mandel of the Panchayat and some of the pilgrimages help us transport waste to the municipality dumper (truck).
According to the study, people need awareness camps and technique to manage this problem. Peoples knew this was one of the environmental issues which create problem in future. But they don’t have any idea how to dispose this waste. So government agencies and NGO’s should come forward to aware the peoples and save these Eco sensitive high mountain tops. Solid waste is not a problem if peoples know the solution. For the solution of solid waste government agencies and NGO’s should arrange training programs and awareness camps time to time. At last NGO’s member would like to thank all the volunteers and Kullu administration that makes this successful cleaning campaign.
Sent To HW BY:Gaurav Bhardwaj President YATN-NGO Kullu
आज कल सावन महीने में लोग बिजली महादेव के लिए भरी संख्या में जा रहे हें | लोगों को वहां उनकी धार्मिक भावना खींचे लिए जा रही हे |वहां जाने के लिए पड़ने वाले रस्ते खूबसूरत पहाड़ियां वहां का प्राकृतिक सोंदर्य हर किसी को आपनी और आकर्षित करता हे | लेकिन लोगो की गैरजीमेवाराणा हरकत से इस जगह की सोंदार्ता हको ग्रहन लग रहा हे | शिव भगवन के पवित्र दर्शन के लिए जाने वाले लोग एक बार भी नई सोचते की जिस स्थान पे वेह कुरा कचरा फेला रहे हें | वेह एक पवित्र स्थल हे और वेह वहां भगवान् से इसके बदले में आशीर्वाद आशा करते हें
YATN ( YOUTH ASSOCIATION FOR TRANSFORMING NATION)संस्था जो भिविन समाजिक मुदों को ले कर जिला में कार्य कर रही हे | संस्था का एक दल बिजले महादेव के लिए सफाई अभियान हेतु और इसके समाधान हेतु शोध के लिए गया | दल में लगभग २० सदस्यों ने भाग लिया |जिसमे जी बी पंथ के सोदार्थियों ने भी भाग लिया | निशान द्वारा पुरे रस्ते की जी पि एस द्वारा मेपिंग की गई तथा आधिक कूड़ेवाले स्थान का पॉइंट लिया गया |जिससे पुरे रस्ते का एक नक्षा तैयार हो सके | कहाँ पर कितना कूड़ा इकठा हे |दल दुआर मुख्यता चिप्स व् टाफी के रेपर , प्लास्टिक बोतलें आधिक मात्रा में पाई गई जो की बातावरण सबसे आधिक हानिकारक हे | दल द्वारा असी बोरी डेड कविन्टेल कचरा इकठा कर उसे वहां के युवक मंडल व् महिला मंडल के सहयोग से नगरपरिषद की गारी में दल दुम्पिंग साइड के लिए भेजे गई |रस्ते में पड़ने वाले की काफी की दुकानों में सफाई के सन्देश वाले बेनर व् पोस्टर भी लगाए गई | लोगों को इसी से समभंडित पांच हजार पेम्प्लेतास भी बांटे गई |संस्था के अध्यक्ष गौरव भरद्वाज ने बताया की इसका सबसे बड़ा कारन पुरे रस्ते में कूड़े दानो का न होना और लोगो द्वारा इसकी जिमेवारी नहीं लेना मुख्यारूप से हे | संस्था इसको ले कर एक रिपोर्ट बनाए गी | जिसमे इस समस्या से निपटने के सुझाव उपयुक्त मोहोदय को सोम्पेंगे | उन्होंने इसका ठोस आश्वासन दिया हे |
जारी करता
गौरव भरद्वाज
अध्यक्ष TION )संस्था जो भिविन समाजिक मुदों को ले कर जिला में कार्य कर रही हे | संस्था का एक दल बिजले महादेव के लिए सफाई अभियान हेतु और इसके समाधान हेतु शोध के लिए गया | दल में लगभग २० सदस्यों ने भाग लिया |जिसमे जी बी पंथ के सोदार्थियों ने भी भाग लिया | निशान द्वारा पुरे रस्ते की जी पि एस द्वारा मेपिंग की गई तथा आधिक कूड़ेवाले स्थान का पॉइंट लिया गया |जिससे पुरे रस्ते का एक नक्षा तैयार हो सके | कहाँ पर कितना कूड़ा इकठा हे |दल दुआर मुख्यता चिप्स व् टाफी के रेपर , प्लास्टिक बोतलें आधिक मात्रा में पाई गई जो की बातावरण सबसे आधिक हानिकारक हे | दल द्वारा असी बोरी डेड कविन्टेल कचरा इकठा कर उसे वहां के युवक मंडल व् महिला मंडल के सहयोग से नगरपरिषद की गारी में दल दुम्पिंग साइड के लिए भेजे गई |रस्ते में पड़ने वाले की काफी की दुकानों में सफाई के सन्देश वाले बेनर व् पोस्टर भी लगाए गई | लोगों को इसी से समभंडित पांच हजार पेम्प्लेतास भी बांटे गई |संस्था के अध्यक्ष गौरव भरद्वाज ने बताया की इसका सबसे बड़ा कारन पुरे रस्ते में कूड़े दानो का न होना और लोगो द्वारा इसकी जिमेवारी नहीं लेना मुख्यारूप से हे | संस्था इसको ले कर एक रिपोर्ट बनाए गी | जिसमे इस समस्या से निपटने के सुझाव उपयुक्त मोहोदय को सोम्पेंगे | उन्होंने इसका ठोस आश्वासन दिया हे
जारी करता
गौरव भरद्वाज
अध्यक्ष YATN ( YOUTH ASSOCIATION FOR TRANSFORMING NATION) KULLU )
Sent To HW BY:Gaurav Bhardwaj President YATN-NGO Kullu
Environment
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According to local residents, this is not the first time the wall has caved in. Despite previous incidents, authorities failed to take adequate corrective measures. The latest collapse forced several families to abandon their homes for safety, fearing further landslides and structural damage.
Villagers have accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors of negligence. They allege that no proper safety precautions were taken in the construction process, even though the area is known to be vulnerable to landslides.
“This wall had collapsed earlier too, but no permanent solution was provided. Now, we are facing the same threat again. Our lives and properties are at constant risk,” said a local resident.
The landslide also damaged a large number of apple orchards—adding to the losses of local farmers who depend on horticulture for their livelihood.
Residents have demanded immediate intervention from the administration and strict action against those responsible for the substandard construction. They have also urged NHAI to put in place robust safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Local officials have visited the site, and further assessment is awaited.
Environment
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According to the complaint, NHAI officials based at the Chakkar office in Shimla, along with planning teams at Rishikesh Sadan, Shanti Kutia, and the executing agency G R Infra, with its corporate office in Sector 18, Gurugram, failed in their duty to ensure minimal damage to the hilly terrain. It is alleged that the project was undertaken without proper consultation with the Geological Department, resulting in a project report that is “completely erroneous.”
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As of now, neither NHAI nor G R Infra has issued an official response.
Environment
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Ban on Small PET Bottles
Under the HP Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1995, the state has banned these bottles in all government-organized indoor meetings, conferences, and events, effective June 1, 2025.
Impact on Hotels
The ban extends to HPTDC and private hotels, which must switch to glass bottles or steel water dispensers. A grace period allows clearing existing stocks to avoid financial losses.
Fines for Littering
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Mandatory Car Bins
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Enforcement Measures
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