Leave No Trace India: A Guide to Responsible Trekking

Indian trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to walk over its variegated terrain, ranging from snow-white Himalayas to the greenery of Western Ghats. While the growing number of ever-increasing trekkers in dozens now trudge through such uncharted areas, one apprehensive fear has already grown about its influence on nature. Since nature lovers, now it's the turn of trekkers, want to connect their efforts with preserving the natural beauty of such places. It is here that "Leave No Trace" (LNT) is implemented. LNT is an ethics principle to keep human presence to a minimum so that nature can be used by future generations.

Trekking ethics not only maintain the terrain in its natural state but also maintain the fauna and culture that make up a lot of Indian trekking culture. With increased popularity, even the Indian treks stand a chance to be impacted by human waste, deforestation, and entry into fragile ecosystems. Having undergone sustainable trekking, one can even help maintain such beautiful landscapes in their natural state. Small things like disposing of all litter where it amasses, not treading on marks and traces, providing space to wildlife in its integrity space, and steering clear of disposable plastics are an enormous contribution towards having trekking grounds in their full glory. It is visitors' duty that such a beautiful landscape remains as neat as in the days of its first discovery by a solitary human. This guidebook will walk you through important Leave No Trace practices, show you how to responsibly hike and bring Indian natural treasures home in the future.

1. Take trash home

Maybe one of the most concrete moral hiking regulations is taking your trash home. It's little, but it keeps everything in one piece. Nearly all of the trekking trails, particularly to inaccessible areas of India, lack a proper waste-disposal facility and thus all their waste becomes a cause of pollution of the environment. From packaging material and tissue paper to food packets and plastic boxes, they lie there for decades to decay and inflict irreparable damage on the natural landscape of the area. By taking that extra step and packing out all your trash, you are helping to maintain the view, wildlife, and ecosystems that the backpackers are so fortunate to enjoy. It is not worth the cost to drive out and purchase some extra bags to pack your trash out in them and keep biodegradable and non-biodegradable trash separate. Each time you encounter other people's trash, take the initiative and clean it up and dispose of it because you are giving an example to other individuals. Secondly, having reusable bags, water bottles, and eco-friendly products with you translates into fewer pieces of trash along your trail. So you are being a good trekker in returning the trek trails trash-free so that nature is not destroyed for others in the future. Remember, every piece of trash you collect matters.

2. Clean up after yourself

Pick up after yourself" is one of the best of thoughtful backpacking laws, and it's to remember you owe it to be neat on the trail. Backpacking is all about immersing yourself in nature, but the fact remains that human use does have an effect, whether you want to take credit or not. You owe it to be mindful about what you do and take the effort to leave not a single trace that you were that way. After you have eaten a snack, meal, or taken a break, take the wrappers, bottles, and other trash that you've eaten and pack it in with your bag. Even though you don't think other individuals are going to pick up after you, at least you'll be sure that everything counts. The more trash that you leave, the worse the environment and experience for other individuals who will follow is going to be. Carrying a garbage bag and being diligent about taking trash off the trail, whether it is not yours or yours, reminds everyone that we are caretakers of the Earth. By doing this and maintaining the environment clean, we help in preventing pollution, protecting wildlife, and maintaining beauty spots from desecration. It is an easy but effective way of showing respect to nature and the general walking public and expressing a sense of concern and responsibility on each outing.

3. Use toilets properly

Hygienically using toilets is also one of the clean and green methods to remain so while undertaking treks. Efficiently working toilet facilities at most of the venues in India, which are trending as trekking places, are unheard of, lesser so at high elevations or in areas that are restricted. Even there, with no facilities at all one must be twice as careful every time the call of nature gets too urgent to be ignored. If there are toilets, always make it a point to use them responsibly and not spoil the toilets’ hygiene. It involves flushing, throwing toilet paper in appropriate receptacles (never on the ground), and leaving everything in a tidy state for the other person. Where there are no toilets, adventurers have to resort to "cat-hole" methods, digging a shallow hole off-trail and away from water sources to deposit human waste. This maintains a low environmental footprint and does not allow for the poisoning of the water source, which wildlife and residents so urgently need. It is also best to bring biodegradable wet wipes and toilet paper with you, as non-biodegradable stuff like plastic will take years to be cleaned up in the wild. Roll up your used sanitary products and wipes in a contained bag wherever possible. Being considerate of using toilets is other climbers' and nature's consideration, and making sure it's accessible to all so they have a clean, safe place to hike.

4. Don't pollute water bodies

Protection of the water source from contamination is perhaps the most important part of moral trekking, particularly where water is a highly scarce and valuable resource. All Indian treks pass through regions where rivers, streams, and natural springs are the primary source of water for human beings and wildlife. Contaminating the water source has long-term effects, not just to nature, but to fellow trekkers and locals to their health. Be very careful with water all the time and never engage in any kind of contamination. Refill your water bottles or fetch water from natural sources of water from a decent distance from the water source itself so that there is no chance of coming in contact with the water. Don't wash clothes, your body, or dishes in rivers and streams because the soaps, detergents, and chemicals on your clothes or body will contaminate the water and environment. If unavoidable, use the biodegradable and eco-friendly soap at least 200 feet away from water sources. Another bad habit is not disposing of leftovers, e.g., food portions, around the water sources. Small wastes tend to attract animals and become part of the ecosystem. By being watchful not to waste water and keeping it pure, the trekker will save valuable resources so that he will be able to continue to deliver pure, clean, safe water to all of mankind in the future. Water must be saved to retain such trekking camps from being ruined and afford access to entire wellness among all human beings based on such a pure land.

5. No packed food dhaba

One method of preventing wastage of materials and making minimal use of carbon by trekking. While it would be toughest to get packages, instant soups, or canned drinks even in dhabas of remote places, still keeping them results in a great degree of plastic wastage. Single-use plastic such as wrappers, bags and bottles are the biggest litterers of trekking trails, and the worst news is that they wind up most frequently along the trail or in local water supplies, polluting the environment. Instead of bringing packed lunches, take along your reusable containers and pack the containers with homemade food, snacks, or freshly purchased locally. Not only plastic-free, but it also promotes a greener, healthier trend of trekking. If you must buy food from a dhaba, then you can eat something fresh and not covered in plastic wrap. Banana leaves or some other biodegradable items are used by some dhabas to wrap food, and that is healthy for you as well as for nature. By avoiding packaged food, you reduce the plastic trail your trek leaves behind and put local vendors under pressure to go green. These small actions have a multiplicative impact towards making India's trekking trails as beautiful as possible and spreading an environment-friendly trekking culture.

6. Do not bring packaged food

Perhaps the most important waste minimisation and environmental responsibility regulation is not to bring food along on your trek. It is simple to transport bratwursts and hot dogs, but the packaged items have disposable plastics or non-biodegradable packaging materials that will take a decade to two decades to disintegrate. Apart from polluting trek paths, it will eventually kill animals with trash. Rather than on packaged food, use home-prepared or snack from reusable containers. Trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, energy bars, or reusable cloth or wrap-wrapped sandwiches are also good options not requiring wasteful packaging. Evsnacksen a choice can be made to contribute to local communities by buying fresh, locally-sourced food along the way, keeping your environmental impact low and giving back to the community in an environmentally friendly way. Having fewer packages promises a move towards conscious and responsible trekking. Not only does it reduce the use of plastic, but it also promises healthier and sustainable food. Carrying food yourself, apart from that, allows you to have greater control over what you eat, making your trek sustainable as well as compatible with your health and wellness routines.

7. Use green products

Taking green products along on your trek is the first way to green trekking. With more demand for trekking, so does the quantity of waste left along trails, and much of this is comprised of non-biodegradable trash such as plastic. In attempting to leave a minimal footprint on the earth, choosing sustainably produced, green products is the future. Begin by eliminating single-use plastic and opting for reusable products instead. Bring a refillable water bottle, preferably stainless steel or other dense materials, instead of purchasing water in bottles. Store your snacks and foods in biodegradable containers from stainless steel or bamboo rather than plastic wrap or bags. Use a reusable bag for grocery shopping to decrease disposable plastic bags for food and supply shopping stops along the way. For body hygiene, apply biodegradable toothpaste, soap, and shampoo to prevent depositing toxic chemicals in nature. Use a re-washable cloth towel instead of paper towels, and bamboo toothbrushes or other eco-friendly toothbrushes to prevent contributing to plastic waste. Even small things, such as using a reusable coffee cup or a reusable pen that is compostable, can all help and make a big difference. By carrying green products, you're making a conscious effort towards decreasing your carbon footprint, influencing other trekkers, and conserving nature's natural beauty in its original state. All such green decisions are significantly aided in keeping trekking regions spick and span, scenic, for generations to come.

8. Minimise noise

One of the simplest and greatest things to do to make trekking even better is not being too loud on the trail. The animals would rather have their life in a quiet environment, and unnecessary noise would spoil the silence of the air, frighten animals, and also disturb other trekkers who also want to spend some time in peace. When hiking, be respectful and quiet. Any noises, music, or anything else will chase away animals or make them behave in another way. Animals are sensitive somewhere, and loud noises will disrupt their natural behaviour, especially in remote or protected locations. Secondly, noise reduction also implies that trail users can enjoy the peacefulness of nature sounds, crunching leaves, birdsong, or the gentle song of a brook. Respectful silence by other hikers is also a gigantic part of noise control. Not everyone on the trails knows everyone else, and most are there to bond with nature, so respectful silence by other hikers can be salvation for all.

9. Adopt a positive attitude

You need to have a good attitude while trekking by yourself or with others. Trekking, particularly in difficult circumstances, can sometimes be frustrating and tiring both physically and mentally. But if you have a good attitude, you can manage times of trouble, have fun, and get immersed as part of the natural world. Having a good attitude assists in accepting the uncertainty of the hike, whether an unplanned weather change, a difficult trail, or an issue that you will encounter along the way. Don't be angry and depressed, but rather accept these situations as being a part of the process. Issues can be transformative, leading you to stretch your mind and body. Recalling the positives of the trek, i.e., nature, the landscape, and experiencing fellow trekkers, will lift your spirits. Besides, positive thinking spreads. If you are cheerful in demeanour, you uplift the morale of the whole team, and they are part of something bigger than themselves and something common. It is easier for others to walk through, hand in hand, and turn it into a peaceful trek. And finally, trekking is half the mental game and emotional workout compared to the physical workout. Attitude-wise, you can get the most out of the trek, balance yourself with nature, and make other people trek where you trek.