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Green Hiker 2010 launched in Ladakh
On June 4, the eve of World Environment Day, a massive Green Hiker rally was organised in Leh, Ladakh, which received participation from educational institutions, local NGOs, officials of the Hill Council of Leh, tour operators in Ladakh, officers and jawans of the Indian Army and the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The rally was flagged off by Sh. Chering Dorjay, Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Hill Council.
Following the rally, a panel discussion on the theme “Opening New Areas in the High altitude Himalayas to Tourism. Putting Monitoring Mechanisms for Sustainability” was organised. The panel deliberated on various issues related to tourism and various measures which need to be taken to ensure that tourism activities in the high altitude Himalayas have a minimum impact on the fragile ecology of the region.
The panel comprised Sh. Chering Dorjay, CEC, LAHDC; Gen. R. K. Yadav, Chief of Staff, 14 Corps Leh; Ms. Seema Bhatt, renowned ecotourism expert; Sh. P. T. Kunzang, President, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association; Sh. Raj Panjwani, Senior Environmental Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Sh. Jigmet Takpa, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Ladakh; Sh. Ishwar Singh, acting DIG ITBP, Ladakh Sector; Sh. B. S. Tuti, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh and Dr. B. Balaji, IFS, DFO Leh-Ladakh.
The president of the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) announced their new initiative of providing green bags to trekkers and taxi drivers to bring back the garbage in, generated by them during their trekking trips. Sh. B. S. Tuti, representing the J&K police gave important inputs on how to ensure the participation of J&K police in this initiative. The subject experts in the panel also put forth various ideas for conserving the ecology of the new areas in Ladakh, recently opened to tourism.
The discussion helped reach a consensus that it is high time to put proper monitoring mechanisms in place for the new biodiversity-rich areas being opened up to tourism.
The programme was jointly organised by WWF-India, Department of Wildlife Protection, State Pollution Control Board and the forest department.
Following the rally, a panel discussion on the theme “Opening New Areas in the High altitude Himalayas to Tourism. Putting Monitoring Mechanisms for Sustainability” was organised. The panel deliberated on various issues related to tourism and various measures which need to be taken to ensure that tourism activities in the high altitude Himalayas have a minimum impact on the fragile ecology of the region.
The panel comprised Sh. Chering Dorjay, CEC, LAHDC; Gen. R. K. Yadav, Chief of Staff, 14 Corps Leh; Ms. Seema Bhatt, renowned ecotourism expert; Sh. P. T. Kunzang, President, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association; Sh. Raj Panjwani, Senior Environmental Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Sh. Jigmet Takpa, IFS, Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Ladakh; Sh. Ishwar Singh, acting DIG ITBP, Ladakh Sector; Sh. B. S. Tuti, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh and Dr. B. Balaji, IFS, DFO Leh-Ladakh.
The president of the All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) announced their new initiative of providing green bags to trekkers and taxi drivers to bring back the garbage in, generated by them during their trekking trips. Sh. B. S. Tuti, representing the J&K police gave important inputs on how to ensure the participation of J&K police in this initiative. The subject experts in the panel also put forth various ideas for conserving the ecology of the new areas in Ladakh, recently opened to tourism.
The discussion helped reach a consensus that it is high time to put proper monitoring mechanisms in place for the new biodiversity-rich areas being opened up to tourism.
The programme was jointly organised by WWF-India, Department of Wildlife Protection, State Pollution Control Board and the forest department.
Rally Passing through Leh Market
Launch of the Green Hiker poster
School students participating in the Green Hiker Rally
