Bir-Billing residents oppose civic body amid mounting garbage crisis
Despite being one of the world’s top paragliding destinations, Bir-Billing in Himachal Pradesh is facing a serious garbage disposal crisis. As hundreds of domestic and international tourists visit the site daily, improper waste management has led to alarming environmental degradation. In response, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu recently announced the formation of a Municipal Council (MC) at Bir Billing to ensure planned development and maintain cleanliness in the region. However, the decision has sparked opposition from local residents.
Currently, in the absence of scientific waste management, plastic junk—such as wrappers, mineral water and liquor bottles—can be seen dumped in drains, forests, and local rivulets. Heaps of foil packets and other plastic waste have become a common sight, despite a state-wide ban on plastic. Most forest areas, rivulets, and picnic spots are littered with garbage, with no proper system for cleaning.
Local residents argue that since a Special Area Development Authority (SADA) already exists to oversee the development of tourist areas, there is no need to set up a parallel body like the Municipal Council. They demand that SADA be given more power and held accountable for managing Bir Billing effectively.
“Though SADA collects green tax from tourists and fees from paragliding pilots, the money is not being used to maintain cleanliness. Instead of forming an MC, the Chief Minister should strengthen SADA and make it responsible for the upkeep of the area,” said one resident.
The local Hotel Association has been trying to manage waste collection independently for the past two years. However, in the absence of cooperation from locals and support from SADA, their efforts have had limited success. Satish Abrol, President of the Hotel Association, criticized SADA for failing in its responsibilities over the past five years.
“SADA was created to manage and develop tourist destinations, but it has done nothing. Drains are choked with plastic waste, water flows onto roads emitting foul smell, and unplanned construction is rampant. Bir Billing is turning into a slum,” Abrol said.
He further demanded that SADA set up a garbage treatment plant, begin systematic garbage collection from all houses and commercial units, and enforce a strict ban on illegal construction.
In 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered the state government to install a garbage treatment plant in Bir Billing. However, not even the foundation has been laid in the last six years. Environmentalists blame the poor condition on careless tourist behavior and the lack of monitoring by SADA, forest officials, and the local administration.
Most of Bir Billing falls under reserved forest land, while the rest is governed by SADA. Forest officials admit that preserving biodiversity is impossible without cooperation from tourists, many of whom openly discard plastic waste without concern for the environment.
The mounting waste problem, combined with a lack of governance and enforcement, has left Bir Billing’s natural beauty under threat. Whether through a Municipal Council or a reformed and empowered SADA, urgent action is needed to prevent further environmental damage and preserve this globally renowned destination. — OC
Himachal Tribune