Pedestrian day is good for society or environment?

Bhutan being one of the landlocked and small countries in the world has rightly introduced the “Pedestrian Day”. The Pedestrian Day was first started on World Environment Day. This is one of the unique introductions as the Day was not marked in rest of the world.

Royal Government of Bhutan collaboration with Environment Commission of Bhutan took initiatives to mark the day as “Pedestrian Day” stopping movement of the vehicle on every Tuesdays. The stopping vehicle movement on Tuesdays has advantages for the people who walk everyday to the offices, school goers and all others like such.

Though, the topic itself gives clear justification whether it’s good for society/ environment or not. For further clarification, I will discuss its advantages and disadvantages of Pedestrian Day. I will discuss it on ‘For’ and ‘Against’ the motion.

The Pedestrian Day in Bhutan is one of the major contributions to the nation and the world. The marking or celebrating of the day has advantages in numerous ways. Bhutan is one of the mountainous countries that have got 70% of the forest covered land. Bhutan is rich in natural resources which are threatened by the carbon monoxide which is emanated from vehicles every day. No Vehicle Day or Pedestrian Day has stopped the movement of the vehicle every Tuesdays to minimize unwanted gas. The gas produced before and now has vast difference in terms of amount of unwanted gas that is produced. Thus, the Pedestrian Day has helped to minimize unwanted gas which leads to protect environment. Therefore, I would strongly believe that the Pedestrian Day is good for society or environment.

Whereas, the Pedestrian Day in Bhutan is celebrated or marked on every Tuesdays; to stop the movement of vehicle is good. The Royal Government of Bhutan had taken initiatives collaboration with Royal Bhutan Police [RBP]. They stopped movement of vehicle on every Tuesdays which minimize the unwanted gas that are produced by vehicle. But before eight in the morning and after six in evening, the movement of vehicle is double and triple. 

Thousands of people drive their own vehicle for more hours. The movement of vehicle on Tuesdays is double than that of other days. The people never thought of good for society and environment, but rather they rushes towards their destinations. So, therefore, the movement is higher on Tuesdays which produces huge amount of unwanted gas that really affects the society or environment. Therefore, I would like to support that the Pedestrian Day is not good for society or Environment.

During the Pedestrian Day office goers and school goers walks from home to the office and school. Thousands of people who have imperative works in either location may also walk to their destinations. The people who walk to the offices, to the schools and to either of their destinations may have harmonious time to enjoy their walk. To walk for long hours may help to be healthy from medical point of view. When every individual is healthy, the people will be happy forever, which will fulfill the dreams of Gross National Happiness [GNH]. So, therefore, the country’s unique Developmental Philosophy the GHN will be fulfilled. The GHN philosophy may get enhanced. Therefore, the Pedestrian Day is good in the country like Bhutan, which will help enhancing the GHN philosophy.

But, to walk for few hours and to drive for long hours is not good for health. Though, people may walk to their offices, schools, institutions, place where they want to go and etc. From my point of view, to walk less and to drive more may not fulfill the Gross National Happiness [GNH] philosophy. How does Pedestrian Day may fulfill the GNH philosophy? There is no way to fulfill the GNH philosophy. Unlike other countries in the world, Bhutanese society is filled with GNH philosophy, but still there are numerous things to be come up like other countries. The Pedestrian Day gives more anxieties and tension to people sharing the same society. So, therefore, the Pedestrian Day is not good for the society or Environment.

On Pedestrian Day, the vehicles are stopped for Ten hours in a Day on Tuesdays has minimized the use of fuels. The imports of fuel may decrease. When the import of fuel is decreased, the outflow of money is also low. When the outflow of Bhutanese currency is low, the circulation of money will remain within the country. The money circulation within the same territory, the economy of the country will remain constant and will avoid shortage of the money. That will keep society more alert in terms of economy. The developmental activities may take place which may lead to advancement of infrastructures in terms of Health and Medical care, Education, etc. Therefore, the pedestrian day is good for society and environment.

However, the fuel people used in their car may increase due to more movement of the vehicle before 'Eight' in the morning and after Six in evening. The fuel consumption is very high during that period of time. The more movement of vehicle may lead to more use of fuel. The purchase of fuel during that period of time may lead to more outflow of money. The outflow of money may lead to problems in system of economy. The economic system may get disturbed and the government may borrow money from outside. The government debt may increase to solve problems in the society which leads the country to bankruptcy. So, therefore, I would like to say that the Pedestrian Day in country like Bhutan is not good.

The pedestrian Day is not celebrated and marked in other parts of the world. Bhutan took initiatives to avoid the environment pollution due to emanated and radiated unwanted gas. The Royal Government of Bhutan first introduced its initiation on World Environment Day, 2012. From my personal point of view, I would like to say that the Pedestrian Day would be one the greatest achievement for the Society and Environment.

The day will have some minor problems but then we can solve it within short period of time. There are more advantages and disadvantages for the society or Environment. So, therefore, I would to urge readers to cope up with the policy of Pedestrian Day.