GTA works to keep Hills clean

SNS, DARJEELING. 9 FEBRUARY 2018: The chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Board, Binoy Tamang, today said that the GTA has asked civic bodies in the Hills see to it that political parties remove all the flags, posters and banners they use for meetings in town areas a day after the rallies. Mr Tamang said the move is part of the GTA's efforts to keep the towns and the Hills clean.

'We have told all municipalities in the Hills that the different political parties, like the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), can put up their posters and flags for their programmes, but once they are through with it, they should take them out so that the place remains clean. Like Sikkim, we want places to be identified where posters can be put up, and not everywhere," Mr Tamang told a press conference here.

According to him, a notification will also be issued, asking buildings, especially in the town areas and on the roadsides, to be painted with the colour of the owner's choices" that the areas look neat and clean.

We will also urge the District Magistrate of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, along with civic bodies in the Hills, to ask the business community to keep dust bins outside shops. One such dustbin can be kept by three to four shops. We will also ask hotels and restaurants to do the same, while also asking them to keep plants in the front so that there is greenery,"

said Mr Tamang, adding that people should also participate in all these efforts.

Stating that they are also thinking on the lines of banning the use of plastic in the Hills, Mr Tamang said, "There is a problem with the garbage disposal system in the Hills with trash being burned everywhere, which causes pollution. So we are asking experts to visit Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Mirik to see if bio-gas can be made out of garbage to be used for cremation purposes. Experts have already visited Darjeeling and Kalimpong and will visit other places also."