At Indiahikes, we don’t look at cleaning the mountains as a one-time activity. It is not about charity or good deeds. It is about responsibility. Every green sweep we do is meant to push for something larger — awareness, systems, and lasting change.

Recently, this came into sharp focus at our Manali base. A short walk into the forest near campus revealed what we had seen far too often — piles of waste scattered in the forest. Beer bottles, sanitary waste, diapers, non-recyclables. We had cleared the same forest before, in 2023 and earlier this year. But the trash kept returning. It was evident — another clean-up was not enough. 

The very next morning, we joined hands with the Mahila Mandal. Around 15 women from the local village, along with our team, came together for the clean-up. For the women, this was not new — on the 10th of every month, they take turns cleaning the village. But this time, the focus was not only on cleaning. It was on finding ways to manage waste sustainably.

Rahul and Hira ji laid out a clear plan. We divided into two mixed groups — Indiahikes teammates and Mahila Mandal members. For an hour, we combed the forest, clearing everything we found. The forest looked cleaner. But the real impact began afterwards.

Back at the base, we spoke about what happens after the waste is picked up. The women shared that while they now keep dry and wet waste separately, segregation is not being done properly. Many expected Indiahikes to collect it from their homes. Earlier, a vehicle collected waste weekly, but that had stopped. The only option left was burning it. They knew it was harmful, but without alternatives, they had little choice.

That is when Alveera talked about composting — turning wet waste into compost for their farms. It was a small but practical shift. Yet, it was also clear that 15–20 women cannot change the waste practices of an entire village. To bring accountability, Akshay and Archna suggested involving the Pradhan in the next clean-up. Leadership had to be part of the solution.

The women also joined us in practising segregation right there. It was a start — small, but significant.

The clean-up underlined an important truth. This is not just about litter lying in the forest. It is about bigger consequences — changing weather patterns, a degrading forest, and the stress on natural resources. To address this, awareness has to spread wider. Involving the youth and children is critical — they will carry these practices forward.

The road ahead is long, but the process has begun. And that in itself is a reason for hope.

What happened in Manali is not an isolated effort. Similar outreach initiatives are happening across Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal. And we know this for certain — one-off clean-ups don’t create change. Sustainable change happens only when communities take ownership, when systems are built, and when behaviour slowly shifts. 

This is what we are working towards at Indiahikes. Because what we do off the trail is just as important as what we do on it.

Every green sweep we do is meant to push for something larger — awareness, systems, and lasting change.

Segregation, Composting, and a Push for Lasting Change: Indiahikes and Mahila Mandal Lead Manali Clean-Up

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Something powerful unfolded at the schools of Karchi and Regdi recently. For a few days, the slope team had been reflecting on a critical question—how do we take Green Trails work beyond our treks and deeper into the communities we work with? That led us to a small but significant collaboration with the Mahila Mandal and the local school.

The process began with groundwork. There were initial conversations with the school principal—hesitations, back-and-forth discussions. But the team held on with persistence and clarity of intent. Eventually, the school opened its doors, and with it came the opportunity to meaningfully engage with the children.

Once the green light was in, the slope team came together—brainstorming, planning, and designing the session. Everything was anchored in the three core Green Trails values: sustainability, empathy, and transformation.

On the day of the engagement, Nilang, Ranveer, and Kavinaya led the facilitation. Around 60 students had gathered, and they were divided into three groups.

The first interaction was simple. The team asked:

“What do you see around your village?”

The answers were vivid—trees, animals, rivers. But one thing was missing: no one mentioned waste.

That silence became the team's entry point into a deeper conversation.

The team shifted the dialogue toward waste awareness—what it means, where it hides in plain sight, and how it affects places like theirs. There were no lectures. The conversation stayed simple, relatable, and rooted in the children's everyday life.

Following the discussion, the group stepped outside for a clean-up drive. Together, the children and the slope team collected 15 kilograms of waste from around the village. This was followed by a hands-on segregation game—designed to help children learn how to identify and sort waste in real-world scenarios.

As the energy began to dip, aam panna was passed around, and the group gathered for reflection. That’s when a short but impactful video on Delhi’s dumping ground was played.

The reaction was immediate. The room went still.

One child said, “If we don’t take care of our waste, our village will become like that too.”
 Another added, “We won’t let this happen here.”

It was a raw moment of realisation—not just for the students, but for the team as well. It was a reminder of why Green Trails work matters, especially off the trail.

The session closed with a thank-you note to the school principal and the Mahila Mandal for their trust. The team also assured them that this was not a one-off event. This is a journey the slope team is committed to continuing alongside them.

This green sweep at Karchi is just a small part of something much bigger at Indiahikes. Similar community outreach efforts are happening across our slopes — in Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Himachal. Because we’ve seen this time and again — real change doesn’t come from one-off cleanups. It happens when local communities are involved, when they take the lead, and when there’s a slow but steady shift in behaviour and systems. That’s the kind of change we’re working towards.

Because what we do off the trail is just as important as what we do on it. And this day was a reminder of that.

Together, the children and the slope team collected 15 kilograms of waste from around the village. This was followed by a hands-on segregation game—designed to help children learn how to identify and sort waste in real-world scenarios.

15 Kgs of Waste Cleared with Children and Mahila Mandal — A Deeper Step into the Community at Karchi and Regdi

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Last week, something significant unfolded at one of the dhabas on the Hampta Pass trek. A short video taken there made its way to our team in Bangalore.

And this one moment on the trail suddenly put the spotlight on something bigger we’ve been working on. A project we’ve been nurturing quietly, slope by slope.

And it’s time we told you about the thought behind it.

What is the Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project?

The Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project is an initiative we started this year, in the first quarter of 2025, as part of our Green Trails initiative.

How can we solve the problem of waste generated by dhabas on trails?

Because let’s face it — dhabas are an inevitable reality on any popular trail. 

They’re always tucked along trails, where trekkers stop for quick snacks. They’re a good source of income for the local community. But increasingly, we began noticing how these little stalls were also becoming hubs of plastic waste. Not because the locals didn’t care — but because trekkers kept asking for chips, biscuits, and packaged food.

And when there’s demand, there’s supply.

but that supply comes at a cost to the very mountains we’re trekking in, with tonnes of unmanaged, non-recyclable plastic waste.

That’s where the Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project was born — from the hope that dhabas could change, they could stop adding to the mountain of waste, and instead, could enhance the experience of trekkers.

The Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project: A Small Idea, With a Larger Vision

This project is not a mere one-time campaign. It is trying to bring about a mental shift, one that comes from collaboration, not enforcement.

The Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project is a gentle shift — one that comes from collaboration, not enforcement. It’s about walking up to the dhaba owner and simply asking:

“Can we use steel plates instead of disposables?”

“Can we segregate our waste (for recyclable, non-recyclable and landfill)?”

“Can we keep this space clean — inside and out?”

“Can we deposit the waste at our base camp?”

Surprisingly, the answers are usually a yes for one (or more) of these questions.

Sometimes a hesitant yes, sometimes a proud one. 

There’s one more thought we’ve been sitting with — something that ties deeply into the larger vision we’re working towards.

We often think of a trek as just an escape into the mountains — a chance to be with nature. But it’s so much more than that.

A trek is also a deep cultural experience. Every trail carries stories — of people, of food, of history. Yet, we rarely pause to connect with that side of the journey. And local cuisine especially plays such a big role in that immersion. It tells us what grows there, what people eat every day, and what warmth tastes like in the mountains.

Because these dhabas don’t wrap up when our treks do.

They remain long after the trekkers leave. Long after the slope teams wind up for the season. That means if change takes root here, it’ll last.

Take Baldev, for instance — a shopkeeper on the Hampta Pass trail.

He now doesn’t sell packaged food to Indiahikes trekkers; his reason is simple:
“It spreads garbage.”

And that was reason enough for him to stop.

When someone makes even a 1% change, without being told — that’s not small. That’s transformational.

The beauty of this project is how simply it unfolds — in three levels:

Level 1 is where we begin.
The dhaba owner starts depositing waste with us at our basecamp. They’ve set up a basic segregation system — separating recyclable, non-recyclable, and landfill waste. And just as important, the area around the dhaba stays clean. It’s no longer a plastic hotspot.

Level 2 goes a step deeper.
Here, the dhaba begins to offer a slice of the region’s culture through its food to Indiahikes trekkers. 

Level 3 is where it all comes together.
At this stage, the dhaba becomes a place of pride — no packaged food, only local food, served to every trekker who stops by, not just Indiahikes. It’s no longer just a food stall. It’s a living part of the trek — rooted in sustainability and local culture.

When a dhaba aligns with a few simple, but important practices — like switching to reusables, avoiding packaged food, and managing waste responsibly — we recognise their efforts by certifying them as Green Dhabas.

And this isn’t just a title. It’s a commitment, both from their side and ours. Once certified, we actively direct our Indiahikes trekkers to these dhabas — making sure the right actions are encouraged, and their effort doesn’t go unnoticed — it gets rewarded, right there on the trail.

Waste segregation in action at a Hampta Pass dhaba. Photo by: Hemant Bisht

Like all other slopes, at Hampta Pass, our Trek Leaders and Guides have been nudging this forward — no instructions, no mandates. Just steady, honest conversations with the right intention. And that’s where the real change lies.

When someone asked why locals still sell packaged food, the answer was candid: 

It’s not that locals don’t want to serve their cuisine — they’d much rather. But when there’s a demand for chips and biscuits, what choice do they have? This is, after all, their livelihood.

And yet, people like Baldev are choosing differently. Choosing consciously.

That quiet shift? That’s the kind of change we dream of.

This project didn’t start overnight. It took root when Lakshmi, our Head of Green Trails, first asked:

“Can we turn our dhabas into models of sustainability?”

From there, our teams took that idea and made it real. 

And today, it’s showing. One dhaba at a time. One trek at a time.

So if you're trekking with us, you can be a proud participant in this project. Green dhaba owners do not serve Indiahikes trekkers in disposable cutlery. They offer local cuisine to our trekkers, and not the typical “pahaadon waali Maggi.” So if you're choosing a Green Dhaba, you can be proud that you're not adding to litter on trails.

The Green Dhaba Project is an initiative that began with a simple question: How can we solve the problem of waste generated by dhabas on trails?

How the Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project is Changing the Trekking Landscape

Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project, Green Dhaba Project, Green Trails Initiative, Sustainability on treks, Trekking with responsibility, Waste management on trails, Hampta Pass, Local dhaba on trail, Waste segregation, Sustainability, Sustainable trekking

What is the Indiahikes Green Dhaba Project? A Real, On-Ground Example from the Hampta Pass Trail

On the 17th of July, something quietly unfolded at the Government Middle School in Sarsai.

Now, the idea had been brewing for a while. Just a day before, on the 16th, our slope team walked over to the school to meet the principal and share a plan. A simple one — to host a Green Trails session with the students. Not a lecture, not a formal session, but something more fun and meaningful. Something they’d remember.

The principal welcomed us in, listened patiently, and smiled. “Come tomorrow,” he said. And so, we went.

We had around 30 students from Classes 6 to 8 waiting for us. Curious, a little unsure, but very present.

We began with a skit — no stage, no props. Just our team acting out a story that felt all too familiar: a cow munching on plastic, wrappers being tossed onto the road, characters buying chips for no reason, and a shopkeeper casually saying, “Throw the waste outside.”

Indiahikes team members facilitating the Green Trails session at Government Middle School, Sarsai — guiding young minds through stories, skits, and simple actions. Photo by: Indiahikes Team

And then — small hands went up. “But cows should eat grass!” “They shouldn’t throw trash like that!” That’s when we knew — they were really watching. Really thinking.

In the second round of the skit, we changed things up. No plastic bottles, no wrappers. Reusable containers came in. The cow was now eating grass. The same shopkeeper was now offering a dustbin.

The shift was small, but the kids noticed every bit.

After the skit, Munna ji led a conversation. And I say conversation — not a session — because that’s exactly what it was. He spoke about the Green Trails practices we follow on our treks. And more importantly, why we follow them.

The students joined in almost immediately. “We don’t use steel boxes, but we want to now.” “We’ll stop throwing wrappers near the school.” “We’ll tell our families also.”

And then something special happened — Praveen stepped forward and led the Green Trails pledge. All 30 students stood up and promised to care. Not just about not littering, but about how their choices — even the smallest ones — affect the world around them.

I want to pause here and say this — this wasn’t just a school visit. It was something else.

It was that rare moment when a message doesn’t just land — it takes root. It wasn’t about ‘teaching sustainability.’ It was about feeling it. About seeing young minds light up, question things, suggest change, and take ownership.

The students picked up on sustainability so quickly — asking questions, sharing stories, and leaving us more hopeful than we came in. Photo by: Indiahikes Team

And that’s what Green Trails is about. Not quick fixes. But slow, quiet, steady change.

And on that morning in Sarsai, we saw it.

We had around 30 students from Classes 6 to 8 waiting for us. Curious, a little unsure, but very present. We began with a skit: a cow munching on plastic, wrappers being tossed onto the road, and a shopkeeper casually saying, “Throw the waste outside.”

A Skit, A Pledge, and 30 Young Changemakers — A Green Trails Session at Government Middle School, Sarsai

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A quiet but powerful shift unfolded in Yangpa, a small village from where we start the Pin Bhaba Pass trek. The mission was clear: to leave the mountains better than we found them. But what emerged from this one-day initiative was far more layered.

The day began with a sapling plantation drive at the Government Primary School in Yangpa. Children under the age of 10 arrived, accompanied by their mothers, teachers, Mahila Mandal members, and 13 Indiahikes team members. Village leaders — Mrs. Krishna Kumari (Pradhan of Yangpa) and Mrs. Tara Devi (Mahila Mandal Pradhan) — lent their support, making this a true community gathering.

The activities were thoughtful. Trek Leaders facilitated engaging sessions on the importance of trees. The hills echoed with slogans — “Swachh Yangpa, Sundar Yangpa” and “Vriksh Lagao, Gaon Bachao”. The sincerity in the children’s voices, matched by the warmth of their mothers’ smiles, set the tone for what felt like a festival of change.

But amid the cheer, the team stumbled upon a harsh reality — villagers were burning their trash. Everyone, from a six-year-old to the elderly, spoke of burning waste as the only known method. There was no disposal system. No segregation.

This shifted the tone of the day. The plantation drive became a springboard for deeper work. The team handed out Eco Bags and quickly initiated a cleanup drive. From the school to the village lanes, the entire community pitched in. Together, they collected seven large bags of waste.

That wasn’t all. Trek Leader Hrithik simplified waste segregation for the young audience. Abhishek Tiwari, our operations team member, coordinated the sorting into hard plastics, soft plastics, tetra packs, and glass. In total, 71.57 kgs of waste were segregated in just 15 minutes. What could’ve been a small demo turned into a turning point. Fifteen women from the Mahila Mandal committed, then and there, to begin waste segregation at home.

The ripple effect was immediate. The Pradhan requested every household to begin separating trash and assured that it would be handed over to Indiahikes. On our part, the Indiahikes team promised safe disposal through their new collaboration with Waste Warriors, Manali.

In a symbolic and practical move, the Pradhan added an Indiahikes representative to their community WhatsApp group. Plans for a mini waste collection centre near the basecamp were already underway.

Behind this impact was a deeply committed team — Abhishek Tiwari, Subhash Ji, Abhishek Bhan, Dhananjay, Abhishek Roy, Srijita, Charan, Hrithik, Saurabh, Pankaj Patwal Ji, Harsh Mohan Ji, Sourabh Ji and Mohit Bhai from Rupin Pass — each playing their part quietly, meaningfully.

What started as a simple school collaboration turned into something much larger. Yangpa didn’t just witness a one-day event. It felt like the start of a change. 

At Indiahikes, we have felt a strong need to include the local communities we work with. We notice that while everyone has the intention to protect the environment, it is often the lack of knowledge that holds them back from being able to do so. While we are seasonally present in these regions, our presence drives a lot of things forward. But with initiatives like these, where the members of the local community are involved, especially women and children, we believe and hope that the impact of it remains long after we pack-up for the season. 

The incident is just one small part of the larger efforts unfolding across our slopes — from Uttarakhand to Sikkim and beyond. At Indiahikes, we deeply believe that real, lasting change — both behavioural and systemic — can only happen when local communities are at the heart of it. Because protecting the environment isn’t a solo mission. It’s something we build together.

71.57 kgs of waste were segregated in just 15 minutes. What could’ve been a small demo turned into a turning point. Fifteen women from the Mahila Mandal committed, then and there, to begin waste segregation at home.

How Yangpa Sparked a Green Revolution in a Single Day

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71.57 kg Waste Segregated. How Yangpa Sparked a Green Revolution in a Single Day

Mobile & Internet Network: All major service provider's networks. 4G network available all around Sari.

Cloakroom: Available (for Indiahikes Trekkers)

Accommodation: Swiss-style tents with bunk beds (Indiahikes trekkers), Homestays (tourists)

Treks starting from here: Deoriatal Chandrashila

Sari is a 400-year-old village located right in the heart of Uttarakhand. It is the base of the revered Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek. So while you’re there, don't be surprised to see enthusiastic trekkers roaming around the village.

The word ‘Sari’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘everywhere’. The village name came about as Sari has fields around it everywhere. The village is rich in wheat fields, apple and peach orchards, and its boundaries are lined with bright-coloured Rhododendrons and Oak trees — A regular site on the Deoriatal Chandrashilla Trek.

You will see about 150 houses in Sari. They are usually cemented houses with many doors and windows. There are also a few abandoned rock houses that are about 100 years old! If you roam around the village, make sure to ask locals about the evolution of the houses over the years.

If you reach Sari when the sun is still out, walk around the village a bit. The paddy fields are so prettily laid out that they almost beckon to you. The views around the Sari village are gorgeous. You get your first glimpse of the summit of Chandrashilla from here!

Apart from that, Sari as a village is quiet, quaint, uncommercialized and not too touristy. The villagers go on about their daily lives of farming and livestock rearing. This means that if you have forgotten any trekking gear, there is no market to buy it here.

Paddy Fields all around Sari. Picture by Jothiranjan

In Sari, the men spend their days digging soil and sowing crops while the women spend their days cultivating it. The kids spend most of their time either in school or playing.

Within farming, Sari has a self-sufficient agrarian economy. People eat what they grow and rear. Crops are grown following a 6 month cycle — Summer and Winter. 

In winters, you’ll notice a sea of wheat and potato fields all around the village. People harvest and eat these crops in June. During this period, you’ll see most of them eating boiled potatoes with flavoured salt. If you are in Sari, try it out. It is a delight!

In summers, people grow Soybean, Ragi, Red rice, pulses and beans. All being heat generating foods, they are harvested and eaten in the winter season. 

Apart from farming, Sari has a communal culture. You’ll see large extended families all living and eating together.

As per festivals, every year the people of Sari host a Mela to celebrate Janmashtami at the Deoriatal near Sari as a ritual. It is a huge festival and even people from surrounding villages come to celebrate it! If you are in the region during Janmashtami, make sure you don’t miss out on it. 

February is an extremely special month for people in Sari. They celebrate the Basant Ritu – A festival to mark the start of the spring season. A lot of engagements and marriages in Sari happen in this period. You certainly won't miss out on Melas, Garhwali Dhols and wedding dances all around Sari! 

Holi is another widely celebrated festival in Sari. As an old ritual, children spend their days gathering rhododendron flowers to offer it at a nearby Shiva temple. If you're in Sari, be prepared for a day full of colours and worship!   

The rise in popularity of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek has led to an increase in homestays all around Sari. However, demand is cyclical. You will comfortably find stays during the off-season. It may not be the case during the peak winter and spring seasons. It’s advised to book a month in advance. 

You can get a bed for Rs 600-800 a night in the offseason reaching Rs 1000-1200 in the peak seasons.  

A lot of people visit the Tungnath temple starting from Chopta and later visit Sari to do the Deoriatal Trek as a bonus. 

The Deoriatal Trek is a short three-hour trek that starts from Sari. You will trek along a well-defined trail experiencing beautiful forests and stunning Rhododendron trees. You will also come across a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that locals worship. 

At the end, your surroundings will open up to a grand view of Deoriatal, with the Chaukhambha massif looming in the background. It’s a breathtaking view! 

Deoriatal is a picturesque lake. You can go and explore the trails. The forests around here are lovely. You’ll be able to see and hear several rare Himalayan birds.

The Revered Deoriatal has multiple legendary stories connected to our epics. Picture by Rupendra Yadav

The rise in popularity of the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek has led to an increase in homestays and cafes. These cafes are located on the hill above the village. You can see these cafes clearly from the main road.

The feeling of drinking coffee in the cold after a nice 25 minutes hike through a small forest trail is something to die for!   

Our Indiahikes Campus in Sari is special to us for so many reasons. It was our first-ever pilot with intentions to bring the trekking community together. We wanted to create a space for everyone to come together and interact much before the trek. 

The campus has made a significant impact not only to the trekking community but also towards sustainability and the local economy! 

If you are ever at Sari, visit the campus for some chai and a game of cricket with our slope team. 

In the Garhwali district, you’ll extensively hear about the five famous Shiva Temples. Known as the “Panch Kedar'', millions of pilgrims visit these temples every year.

You’re in luck if you are in Sari. 2 out of the 5 kedars are nearby Sari! All under close proximity to the village. 

Tungnath: Tungnath temple is closest to Sari. Most people visit Tungnath while in Sari. You can reach the Tungnath temple two ways: 

1) Drive from Chopta to Sari. It is 15 km and usually takes about 30 minutes. From Chopta, it is a short 3.5 km trek to Tungnath temple. 

2) Trek the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek that starts right from Sari Village. 

Madmaheshwar: The madmaheshwar temple starts from Ukhimath which is a 25 minute drive from Sari. 

Our Finance Manager, Gautam has documented everything there is to know about Madhmashwer for you to see! Madmaheshwar Trek

Tungnath Temple. Image by Indiahieks trekkers

Beautiful view of Sari Village. Try spotting our basecamp!. Picture by Jothiranjan

A local cultivating crops. A daily sight in Sari. Picture by Jothiranjan

Trekkers and staff playing at the Indiahikes Basecamp. A great place for interaction. Picture by Jothiranjan.

Little girl playing. Another daily site in Sari! Picture by Akshay Kevin

View of Sari enroute to Deoriatal Trek. Picture by Jothiranjan

Women carrying bags of crops. Picture by Akshay Kevin

All smiles at the Indiahikes campus. Do give us a visit sometime! Picture by Jothiranjan

Local onlooking as Trekkers go for the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. He is more than a 100 years old! Picture by Jothiranjan

Complete description about Sari Village - village details, experiences, maps, photos, altitudes, when to go, char dhaam, Base of Deoriatal, Tungnath, Chandrashilla, temple

Sari Village - Village in Uttrakhand- Indiahikes

Sari village Basecamp Deoriatal Chandrashila

Base of the revered Deoriatal Chandrashila trek

“When I was 5-6 years old, I remember feeling disgusted looking at the trash on roads.

The sad part was that there was no escape from this feeling.

As I came to 9th standard, I decided to start clean up drives in my locality. For that, I got permission, spoke to some people to volunteer and even bought gloves to use. Unfortunately, at that time, Covid cases started rising in our country and my plan took a backseat.

When I went on the KGL trek along with my mother and her friends, I wasn’t expecting Indiahikes to talk about sustainability practices to follow on the trek!

To top it all off, I was beyond happy to know about the philosophy of picking up trash from the trails.

There were so many things that caught my attention. The water contraption set up to wash our hands and face, the solar energy used by the kitchen staff for cooking.

Above all, our trek leader Mrinal herself was such a huge inspiration. On the first day, she spoke about minimalism and no packaged food on treks. I could see her living that all throughout the trek.

Even when someone offered her a bite of a chikki (snack), which came in packaging, she firmly refused it. All throughout the trek, she wore about 1-2 pairs of clothes and here we were wearing a new pair every day. I felt really guilty about that.

Seeing her I realised that on my next trek, I can definitely reduce the weight of my backpack by avoiding unnecessary things to carry.

Poorva with her trek mates on the KGL trek

The whole sustainable trek experience with Indiahikes pushed me to go beyond my boundaries.

I had been collecting all the soft plastic in my house even 2-3 months before the trek but after coming back I went to the grocery shop owner and convinced him to give his plastic waste to me.

Now, I’ll be talking to my society members to provide me with some space to keep the plastic waste.

There’s an organization Rudra Environmental Solutions in Pune that converts soft plastic into Poly fuel. I had a conversation with them and they agreed to collect plastic waste from my society twice a month.

Moving further, I want to mobilise my society members to give their soft plastic to our collection unit so that we can divert this waste from landfills to much more meaningful use.

I have also signed up for the Sustainability Championship Program by Green Trails, Indiahikes.

I am still in 10th standard so sometimes all these things make me nervous. But if I have been able to take this idea forward, a huge reason for that is my recent motivation after trekking with Indiahikes.”

- Poorva, Indiahikes Trekker | Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

This transformation story is about Indiahikes trekker Poorva who is just 15-years-old. She got so influenced by the Indiahikes sustainability practices on the KGL trek that she started implenting them in her life after returning.

How 15-Year-Old Poorva is taking the Legacy of Sustainability Forward After Returning from the KGL Trek

Indiahikes Trek Transformation Stories, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, KGL Trek Indiahikes, Green Trails

“Indiahikes presence has been there since 2009-10 around Lohajung. I used to notice people coming with a backpack, carrying eco bags and walkie talkies going for the Roopkund trek. 

These teams would go through the forest check-post where my father was stationed as a member of the Forest Department. I got to know from my father that these are ‘trekkers’. At that time, I didn’t even know what that meant. 

In those days, crossing the stretch from Bhagwabasa to Roopkund was a big issue. Some people working with Indiahikes invited me to join the team as a Technical Guide.

So I stepped in as a technical guide with Indiahikes in 2016. We helped 26 teams successfully cross that tricky section.

Since that season, my trust in Indiahikes started growing.

Dhan Singh in his early days at Indiahikes

In the beginning, I didn’t even know how to talk to people, or how to get locals to work with me. But with time I learned the ropes. Looking at how I was taking work forward, I was promoted to the role of a Trek Manager by the end of 2017.

The amount of local recognition and respect working here has given me is beyond words. Then came a turning point.

In March 2018, I travelled to Nepal for the first time. It was my first international trip ever.

Indiahikes sent me to Nepal to help in managing the Everest Base Camp-Gokyo Ri trek. For someone like me, from the town of Lohajung in Uttarakhand, that was a big milestone.

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