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Action plan for a cleaner, greener Himalayas
Rajiv Raghunath
NOVEMBER 13: Eminent mountaineer and conqueror of the Everest, Captain Madan S Kohli has been working ceaselessly towards the environmental preservation of the Himalayas. Since the early 1970s, the Himalayas have remained a favourite with trekkers and mountaineers the world over. As inbound tourism increased, a greater number of people headed for the higher reaches of the Himalayas, placing the fragile environment of the entire region in jeopardy.Until the 1980s, environmental concerns were not taken very seriously across the country. But, as people across the world feel the negative effects of environmental degradation, greater concern is now being felt for preserving the natural habit such as that of the Himalayas. For an avowed environmentalist like Kohli, events are great opportunities for spreading the message of sustainable development. One such opportunity is coming up early next year, namely the 3rd India International Tourism Expo & Mart 2000, which is scheduled to be held at the Pragati Maidanin New Delhi during January 22-24, 2000, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism. Kohli, who is the chairman of Himalayan Environment Trust (HET), Gangotri Conservation Project and Outward Bound India, plans to organise a fund raising dinner at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi on January 24, 2000, the proceeds of which will be directed to preserve the bhoj (birch) trees in the Himalayas which are under environmental threat. Bhoj trees are intertwined with the ancient history of India. ``Our ancient texts like the Vedas were written on bhoj leaves,'' says Kohli. ``At the expo we will organise seminars and discussion on issues concerning a clean and green Himalayas. This won't be a mere academic exercise. On January 24, we will also get experts on environmental preservation of the Everest, Annapurna and Gangotri to discuss key issues related to the subject,'' he says. Kohli's efforts form part of the efforts of a Trust called the Himalayan Environment Trust (HET), of which he is the chairman. HET wasformed in October 1989 by eminent mountaineers and heads of mountaineering associations of the Himalayan countries. The HET Board includes Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest along with Tenzing Norgay; Junko Tabei, first woman to climb the Everest; Richard C Blum, first man to take up the challenge of the difficult East Face of Everest; Maurice Herzog, first man to climb an 8,000 m peak in the `death zone'; Sir Chris Bonington, the first to take up major climbs in the Himalayas, and Kohli himself. HET helps raise funds to initiate and support micro-scale environmental projects in the Himalayan region. Its objectives are: To mobilise support from mountaineers, trekkers, alpine clubs, adventure tour operators and government agencies to protect the Himalayan environment, its flora, fauna and natural resources, as well as the customs and traditions of the local people
To evolve a code of conduct and ethics for the mountaineers.
To hold international conferences,seminars and Himalayan tourism meets
To exchange information and cooperate with other local, national and international agencies engaged in similar work, such as the International Centre for the Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu ,and the Mountain Protection Commission of the Union Internationale Des Association D' Alpinisme (UIAA)
To evolve necessary guidelines in consultation with the Himalayan countries concerning adventure tourism, to avoid overcrowding of certain popular trails, and achieve a fair spread of trekkers and mountaineers throughout the Himalayas.That apart, HET has also taken up specific projects like the one at the Gangotri Basin, the most polluted part of the Indian-Himalayas. The Rs 45-lakh project was initiated in 1994 in association with government agencies. The project included the setting up of an incinerator at the Gangotri, clearing rubbish from the base camps of several peaks in the Basin, installing toilets at the site, placing garbage bins along thepilgrimage route and replacing temporary lodges made of Bhojpatra (birch leaves) with quick erect huts. Efforts are on to set up a micro hydel power plant at the site with UNDP/GEF help. HET is also actively involved in setting up a micro hydel project in Lo Montong in Nepal. Over the years, Kohli says that the volume of rubbish on the Himalayas has come down. With better environmental management, he believes, the Himalayas can become a destination point for more adventure sports, including events for corporate managers. And all this without disturbing the ecology of the region. Himalayan code of conduct
The Himalayan Environment Trust (HET) encourages trekkers and mountaineers to adhere to certain guidelines that can help preserve the environment of the Himalayas. These are: Before leaving your camp site, remember to make it cleaner than you found it.
Make no fires during your trek and discourage others from doing so. Where water is heated by firewood, use as little of it aspossible.And, where possible, choose an accommodation that uses kerosene or fuel-efficient firewood stoves. You could also help the cause of environmental preservation by taking with you some saplings and planting these on your trail.
Burn dry paper and packets in a safe place. Bury other waste paper and biodegradable material including food. Carry back all non-biodegradable litter. If you come across other rubbish, remove them as well.
Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants, such as detergents, in streams or springs. If no toilet facilities are available, make sure you are at least 30 meters away from water sources, and bury or cover the wastes.
Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment. Taking cuttings, seeds and roots is illegal in many parts of the Himalayas.
Do not allow cooks and porters to throw garbage into streams or rivers.Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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