The surge in popularity of trekking in the Western Ghats over the last decade has been wonderful for local economies, but devastating for the environment. Trails are littered with plastic bottles, campsite bushes are full of wet wipes, and loud music disrupts the wildlife. It is time for a drastic change in trekking culture.
The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare: Know the regulations of the forest department. Pack food in reusable containers to minimize waste.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the main trail. Walking off-trail destroys fragile alpine flora that takes decades to grow.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. This includes food scraps (orange peels take years to decompose at high altitudes) and toilet paper.
4. Leave What You Find: Do not take rocks, plants, or historical artifacts as souvenirs.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a camping stove for cooking. If you must have a fire, keep it small and only use established fire rings.
6. Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance. Never feed wildlife, as it alters their natural foraging habits.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Keep noise levels down. Let nature's sounds prevail. Bluetooth speakers have no place in the mountains.
Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time.
Our Commitment at Aarohana Trails
We enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for littering. Every trekker is given an eco-bag to collect their personal waste, which is carried back to the city for proper disposal. We also conduct regular trail clean-up drives.
The Western Ghats are a privilege, not a right. It is our collective responsibility to ensure they remain wild for the next generation.
