Ta Xua strives to keep the environment clean

Ta Xua has emerged as an attractive tourist destination in Son La in recent years. The "cloud hunting" season lasts from October to March, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each month. The strong development of tourism has also created pressure on waste. Many solutions to keep the environment clean and protect the landscape are being considered.

A corner of Ta Xua commune.

Currently, Ta Xua has 75 accommodation establishments and homestays. On average, the commune welcomes about 8,500 tourists per month; of which over 4,600 are overnight guests and nearly 3,900 are day-trippers. Each day, about 4 tons of garbage is generated.

Mr. Dinh Ngoc Son, Head of the Economic Department of Ta Xua Commune, said: The amount of waste here has increased rapidly. In addition to the household waste of more than 500 households, each group of visitors leaves behind a lot of water bottles, instant noodle packaging, plastic bags, foam boxes... Famous "check-in" spots such as Gio peak, dinosaur spine, especially at some accommodation establishments... are sometimes turned into "gathering points" for unwanted waste. Due to the rugged terrain of the commune, limited means of transportation make the handling work even more stressful.

Some accommodation establishments still litter illegally.

Faced with this situation, Ta Xua commune has organized many propaganda campaigns to encourage people not to litter, not to use disposable plastic bags, not to burn garbage causing smoke and dust, in line with the criteria of a cultural family. The commune's Youth Union and the Women's Union have organized environmental shock teams. Currently, the commune is implementing the "Green Sunday" model, each time mobilizing 80-120 union members, youth, association members... to participate in collecting and processing garbage; along with that, People also gathered to clean up the village roads and collect trash at tourist attractions. Children were taught how to sort trash from school; they also competed in drawing and making toys from recycled materials to spread awareness of environmental protection.

Ms. Mua Thi Lan, Secretary of the Commune Youth Union, said: In the immediate future, the Commune Youth Union is the main force in collecting and treating waste. We regularly remind households in charge of the roads to pay attention to collecting and treating waste; every month, 30 Youth Union members join the people to collect waste.

Youth Union members of Ta Xua commune participate in garbage collection.

Currently, the waste collection is contracted by the accommodation establishments and business households with the Urban Environment Branch to collect and treat waste at the Bac Yen landfill, about 16 km from the commune center. The waste collection rate of the whole commune is over 80% (over 90% in the central area), the rest is treated by the people through incinerators at home or incinerators of groups of households.

Ta Xua Commune has built a temporary garbage collection point in the commune center and assigned youth union members to take turns handling the waste. At the same time, the commune has coordinated with relevant agencies to survey small-scale waste treatment areas, suitable for the characteristics of the highlands, both saving costs and reducing the risk of secondary pollution.

Tourism businesses are not left out. Some travel agencies have incorporated “Green Tourism” activities into their tours, requiring tour guides and guests to collect their own trash after the tour. Restaurants and eateries in the area have been encouraged to limit single-use plastics and replace them with bamboo, wood, banana leaves, etc. At some homestays, the owners have hung signs to remind visitors not to litter. Many homestays also provide cloth or paper bags for guests when buying souvenirs, instead of plastic bags.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Hang, owner of the food service establishment "Mi oi co don", said: We are regularly propagandized and reminded by the commune to clean the surrounding environment, collect and classify waste according to regulations. In addition, the establishment has invested in additional trash bins with lids, arranged in convenient locations for customers and employees. Every day, the establishment separates organic waste, recyclable waste and hazardous waste before handing them over to the collection unit. We hope that each resident and each business establishment will raise awareness and join hands to preserve the environment so that the village is always green - clean - beautiful.

Temporary garbage collection and treatment site of Ta Xua commune.

Waste treatment and environmental landscape protection are being actively implemented by Ta Xua, however, collection and treatment costs are still limited, environmental human resources are thin, and infrastructure is not yet synchronized. Ta Xua commune will sign a convention on tourism environmental protection with 100% of accommodation and food service businesses, making environmental protection criteria a mandatory condition for continued business. Changes in community awareness are gradually creating changes, the environment and landscape are gradually improving.

The goal of Ta Xua commune in 2026 is to strive for about 60% of households and 100% of businesses to classify, collect and treat waste. Hopefully, with the high determination of the authorities, people and tourism community, "Cloud Paradise" will always be green, a dream destination and a livable place.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/nong-thon-moi/ta-xua-no-luc-giu-sach-moi-truong-3NlyUPlNg.html