Visitors to Sai Din Waterfall urged to dispose of garbage properly

By DMG 14 Dec 2021

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2021, Buthidaung

Residents and the Sai Din Waterfall Youth Charity Association say the local ecosystem needs to be properly conserved to prevent its destruction as the Sai Din Waterfall in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State, increasingly attracts visitors and holidaymakers.

Over the past few years, the number of visitors to Sai Din Waterfall was low due to conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar military, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic, but with the guns having fallen silent and stability returning to the region, the number of visitors has increased.

“This year, more people are visiting Sai Din Waterfall than last year. Hundreds of holidaymakers visit Sai Din Waterfall on weekends because there are many civil servants in Buthidaung,” said local resident Ko Aung Htay.

Ko Nyi Nyi Soe, vice chairman of the Sai Din Waterfall Youth Charity Association, told DMG that visitors to the waterfall would be provided with trash receptacles and signboards indicating how to properly dispose of their waste.

“Awareness campaigns will be carried out on how to dispose of garbage properly. There are also plans to meet with boatmen to prevent littering in the river,” he added.

As people from eight area villages — Zee Chaung, Pyin Chaung, Myo Chaung, Kin Chaung, Thayetpyin, Kyarnyopyin, Phonnyolaik and Don Thein — rely mainly on water downstream from Sai Din Waterfall, locals are worried that the water will become unclean if the growing crowds continue to wantonly dump their garbage.

Some locals from nearby villages run shops where they sell snacks, drinks and souvenirs to visitors to Sai Din Waterfall, generating additional trash in the area.

“It is better for holidaymakers at Sai Din Waterfall to take their garbage with them,” said U Aung Chay, a resident of Buthidaung.

Sai Din Waterfall, located 10 miles east of Buthidaung town, is considered the most beautiful waterfall in Arakan State.