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WWF-India urges tourists traveling to the Himalayas to go green!

Posted on 04 June 2010

WWF's Green Hiker Campaign launched in Delhi by Mr. Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism (3rd from left)

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Know more about Green Hiker campaign

Arjun Vajpai, the youngest Indian to have climbed Mt. Everest, in support of the Green Hiker Campaign

WWF- India’s Green Hiker campaign launched

New Delhi: In its efforts to encourage responsible tourism in the Himalayas, the World Wide Fund for Nature- India launched its Green Hiker Campaign today in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The campaign aims at raising awareness about the vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem, by encouraging tourists and tour operators to adopt responsible practices towards reducing the impact of tourism on this fragile ecosystem. The campaign stands on the positive, direct message of Nature leaves a mark on you, don’t leave one behind. The campaign corresponds with the tourist season in the Himalayas and links with the Incredible India initiative of the Ministry of Tourism.

The launch saw the participation of various officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India in addition to many other organizations and individuals. Arjun Vajpai, the youngest Indian to conquer Mount Everest at the age of 16 was also present to lend his support for this campaign. He also shared the overwhelming experience of his recent expedition and the importance of being a responsible hiker.

Mr. Maninder Singh Kohli, veteran Himalayan hiker, presented a short account of his experiences in the Himalayas, the problems and possible solutions. A Green Hiker Animation Film targeting the tourists and service providers in the industry and encouraging them to watch their footprint was released and screened at the launch.

Mr. Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, while launching the campaign said, “…The Himalayas are the pride of our nation. The Ministry of Tourism is glad to support this campaign, since the conservation of the majestic Himalayan ecosystem is a common goal which we have to achieve together. It is important that we start now ….”

On the occasion, Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India said, “Irresponsible tourism is increasingly rendering the high altitude regions and its fragile wetlands vulnerable. Appropriate mechanisms need to be put in place so that tourism can carry on without negative consequences on this ecosystem. The impact of travel in the Himalayan region needs to be dealt with by the travelers themselves. They should be both responsible practitioners and delivery mechanisms of the conservation message. The Himalayas need our care and protection.”

Comments

Srinidhi S Iyengar

July 24, 2010 - 15:55

Dear All,
I have seen the comments attached and find it rather amusing, How many of you have thought of reducing global warming (in your own baby steps) to ensure that the Himalayas do not deteorate ?
On my part I have institutes that no person in my team will travel by air if the destination is within 400kms and can be covered by Train / Bus (irrspective of his rank / stature in the team - including me)
All senior members are encouraged to CAR POOL even if it means one of the members has to spend an extra hour per day dropping his colleagues off.
All members of my family carry our bags to the market (say no to Plastic), even to the dismay of shopkeepers I take pride in lecturing them and other shoppers the necessity to "Bring your own Bags".
We conserve Water at home (use a bucket to take bath instead of a shower !?), dry wipe your vehicle with wet chamois rather than a bucket of water.
There are a lot more....... but, let me not go about lecturing.
Regards
Srinidhi

Manish

July 19, 2010 - 11:48

Why only Himalaya ? Trekking and Hiking anywhere must be go green.. plastic is unavoidable.. but you can take them back to your place.. can be disposed of in proper way.

Last 7-8 years of my trekking life in Himalaya.. i take back a single chocolate paper with me. it does not weight much to carry back ..

If you want to do it you can do it .. Please think mountains are our home and don't spoil them.

Cheers ! Manish
manisholiday@gmail.com
http://kingdom-of-sky.blogspot.com/

I. Metalni

July 12, 2010 - 22:51

Great job, WWF, bravo

mridul Mittal

July 12, 2010 - 13:17

Protection of environment should be in the nature of human being...it cannot be forced or implemented...I am playing my small part in environment protection...u should too

m s sengupta

July 5, 2010 - 16:50

i agree. travellers should use bio-degradable containers etc. instead of plastics etc. these should be made available to them and some incentive schemes should be thought of.for those who follow these. penalty scheme for who does not

sanchi

June 17, 2010 - 11:00

I agree and will help protecting and saving the himalayas

Atul Kini

June 16, 2010 - 07:10

I pledge my total involvement in this .

GOPI DUTT AAKASH

June 6, 2010 - 13:39

Sir,
Subject :- Soliciting your co-operation in fulfilling our sacred mission of cleaning the Yamuna River.
A plan to clean and stop pollution in Yamuna within 7 months.
My,
aimis to serve the nation in various ways. You must be aware of the pollution being caused due to the disposal of used flowers and other worship materials in our Holy River Yamuna , and carried by all the rivers of India. Our organization, YFF, has undertaken a project to clean the rivers of INDIA starting with The YAMUNA, which will be starting from Delhi .
We have devised a 3 Point Programme to help clean YAMUNA RIVER in DELHI.
A) To stop people from throwing the Ceremonial flowers / Poly bags etc in YAMUNA River.
B)All things being currently thrown in YAMUNA to be collected & a recycling process to be initiated.
C) To organize children currently engaged in coin collecting & rag picking and give them employment & education.
Sir,
I Gopi Dutt want to draw your attention to problem that Delhi has been facing since as long as 10 yrs now. I am talking about the pollution in Yamuna caused by devotional material, Polybags, Flowers etc. Our govt., different NGOs and now Maharaja Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji have put their best efforts to clean up the river.
24/4/10 Maharaja Ji finished up his tasks and camps associated with the river and cleaning up river banks. And on 25/4/10 people of Delhi disposed approx. 3,50,000kgs of used hawan samagri, flowers etc. I have some pictures to show this.
I have run the plan in small yet different places to check if what I had researched and concluded can be done practically. Thankfully, it was successful everywhere it was implemented.
Now I want to implement the whole plan in the region of Delhi so that we can clean Yamuna and stop it from polluting further in future.
I am planning to conduct a 40 days programme called Delhi ki Ganga – Yamuna Mahotsav. ( Swachcha Delhi - Swachcha Yamuna )
Fresh Air.... Fresh Idea.... Fresh Talent.... Fresh Energy....
I need your support Sir. Jai Hind
Thanking you.
Kind Regards,
Gopi Dutt Akash
President – Youth Fraternity Foundation
e- yff.india@gmail.com

Aditi Bose

June 5, 2010 - 04:58

I agree and am ready to do whatever ot takes for the Himalayas!