Opportunities to Help
The CLEAN HIMALAYA Society is dedicated to maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the Ganges River and Himalayan Foothills and reducing global warming. This includes daily garbage collection from hotels, shops, ashrams and homes located near Rishikesh in Lakshmanjula, Tapovan and Muni-ki-reti.
Once the garbage is collected, it is sorted into recyclable and non-recyclable waste. The recyclables are sold, and the non-recyclables are burnt. A vermi-composting unit to deal with organic waste is under construction, and an eco-friendly way of reusing non-recyclable waste is in the planning stage. CLEAN HIMALAYA also does daily public service such as cleaning roadsides, drains, ravines, hillsides etc. not attended to by the municipality.
The CLEAN HIMALAYA Society is a non-profit organization registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Running costs are being met primarily by income generated from the recyclable waste and user fees for garbage collection and special cleaning projects. Such costs include honorariums for the manager, three garbage collectors and other expenses such as petrol, phone, repairs to carts etc. The costs for a fourth and fifth worker are provided by well-wishers who have “adopted” two of the workers. Wages for two part-time workers in the Muni-ki-reti area are covered by the municipality of Muni-ki-reti.
It is the goal of CLEAN HIMALAYA to become a comprehensive and holistic waste management enterprise capable of being easily replicated anywhere in India or in other developing countries. Funds awarded by the World Bank have covered major capital expenditures such as building a shed to sort and store waste and the purchase of a Tata Ace mini-truck The balance of the award will be used in the construction of a vermi-composting unit for organic waste and a facility to creatively reuse non-recyclables. It will also be used to purchase public garbage bins and educational materials.
Through the generous support (volunteer service and financially) of some local ashrams, rafting companies and shops, CLEAN HIMALAYA is becoming a financially viable organization. However, to truly make a permanent visible and environmental difference to this sacred area, more volunteers are needed. Supervision of our workers (or also helping to pick up garbage) in public service projects helps to infuse life and energy into an otherwise unpleasant activity—and inspires others to help, each in their own way!