Patna: For many people, a visit to the historic Barabar Hills means seeing the ancient caves, taking photographs and heading back. For Jehanabad District Magistrate Tshering Y Bhutia, the challenge is to make sure that people also feel responsible for what they leave behind.
On August 30, after the conclusion of the month-long Shravani Mela, Bhutia led the ‘Zero Litter Barabar’ campaign at Barabar Hills and Caves. What made the initiative stand out was that the DM herself joined the clean-up, wearing gloves and picking up litter along with the volunteers
The campaign was not designed as another routine government cleanliness drive. The 2013 IAS officer Bhutia reached out to students and young people and encouraged them to participate voluntarily. NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts and Guides students, Home Guard personnel, sanitation workers, officials, social media influencers and local residents joined the effort.
The idea was to build a sense of ownership around Barabar. And the the message was clear: “Na Kachra Failayenge, Na Failane Denge” (we will neither litter nor allow others to litter).
For Bhutia, cleanliness is closely linked to a much bigger vision for the site. The Barabar Caves are among India’s oldest surviving rock-cut caves and date back to the Mauryan period. The site is already on UNESCO’s Tentative List, and there has been renewed attention in recent days to giving Barabar full World Heritage recognition.
The DM’s vision is to see Barabar gain greater recognition, attract more tourists and emerge as a stronger tourism destination. And the thinking goes beyond tourism numbers. More visitors can mean more opportunities for local businesses, guides, artisans and other communities whose livelihoods can grow around responsible tourism. That is why keeping the caves and their surroundings clean matters. A heritage site cannot become a major tourism destination if visitors encounter litter and an unmanaged environment. The district administration is therefore trying to connect three things that are often treated separately: cleanliness, heritage conservation and local livelihoods.
For Bhutia, one of her major dreams for Jehanabad district (it is 50 km away from the capital city Patna) is to get Barabar caves listed in UNESCO world site. She is involving communities to keep it clean. Her message to all is that visitors should not only enjoy the beauty and history of Barabar, but also leave it exactly as they found it. The district administration has also urged tourists and local residents to carry their waste back or use designated disposal points, while reiterating that sustained public participation is essential.
Perhaps the most visible message from the August 30 campaign was the DM herself picking up waste. It is a simple gesture, but one that changes the nature of a government campaign. Instead of asking people to do something from behind an official podium, the officer was on the ground doing it herself. And citizens followed.
BI Bureau
