Plastic waste mars beauty of Tungnath-Chopta in Uttarakhand, environmentalists seek urgent action
Dehradun, May 27
The sacred region of Tungnath Temple, located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand and revered as the third Kedar, along with the picturesque valleys of Chopta, continues to draw thousands of devotees, trekkers and nature enthusiasts every year.
While some visitors arrive to witness the snowfall blanketing the Himalayan landscape, others undertake the challenging trek to seek blessings at the shrine of Baba Tungnath. However, the breathtaking natural beauty of the region is increasingly being overshadowed by mounting plastic waste and litter scattered across the area.
The Tungnath-Chopta trekking route is now visibly dotted with discarded plastic bottles, food packets, wrappers and other waste materials. Locals and environmentalists have expressed concern that despite the rising number of tourists and pilgrims visiting the region, awareness and responsibility towards maintaining cleanliness remain alarmingly inadequate.
The growing accumulation of garbage amidst the lush greenery and serene mountain environment is now being viewed as a serious ecological threat. Environmental experts warn that if immediate corrective measures are not taken, the fragile Himalayan ecosystem could suffer long-term damage.
Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the region, Anil Prakash Joshi, Padma Shri awardee, noted environmentalist and founder of Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), said that simply imposing restrictions or bans would not be enough to tackle the issue effectively.
Referring to the example of Sikkim, Joshi pointed out that the Himalayan state had managed to successfully implement a ban on plastic only after making extensive and well-planned preparations beforehand.
"Today, approximately 70 per cent of food products are designed for on-the-go consumption and rely entirely on plastic packaging. Consequently, if a ban is imposed without first developing viable alternatives, numerous practical challenges are bound to arise," Joshi said.
He further explained that dependence on plastic could be substantially reduced by encouraging local manufacturing and promoting regional products.
Highlighting the agricultural potential of the hill regions, Joshi said that mountain-grown potatoes are already famous across the country, and products such as potato chips and other food items could be manufactured locally.
"By integrating agriculture and horticulture with the tourism sector, both local employment opportunities can be boosted, and the usage of plastic can be curtailed," he said.
Joshi stressed that regulations alone would not solve the problem unless tourists and visitors developed a stronger sense of environmental responsibility and sensitivity towards nature.
"Simply formulating regulations will not suffice; rather, it is imperative to cultivate a sense of understanding and sensitivity towards nature among travellers and tourists. Tourists visit this place, offer their prayers, and depart; however, truly experiencing the essence of nature -- and, crucially, safeguarding it -- is a responsibility of equal importance," he said.
The environmentalist further stated that there is now an urgent need to foster a new mindset focused on reducing plastic use and conserving nature, beginning from the Kedar Valley itself, so that future generations can also experience the untouched beauty and spiritual charm of the Tungnath-Chopta region.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Beautiful article but unfortunately it's the same story across all Himalayan treks—from Kedarnath to Valley of Flowers. Anil Prakash Joshi ji is absolutely right about Sikkim's model. We need a comprehensive approach, not just banning plastic overnight. Local manufacturing of snacks using hill potatoes and other crops could be a game-changer. But ultimately, it's about each tourist's mindset. I always carry a cloth bag and a steel bottle when traveling. Small steps can make a big difference! 🌿
As someone who has traveled extensively in the Himalayas, this issue pains me deeply. In many Western national parks, the 'pack it in, pack it out' rule is strictly enforced with fines. Here, it's treated as an afterthought. The Uttarakhand tourism board should partner with environmental groups to place bins at key points and organize regular cleanup drives. Also, educating pilgrims before they start the trek would help. We have to stop treating our sacred sites like dumping grounds.
Honest confession: I was part of this problem during a trip last year. But after seeing how much waste was left behind, I felt ashamed. We Indians have a habit of treating public spaces as 'mai-baap ka maal' (our own backyard). The government can't be everywhere to catch us, so we need self-discipline. My suggestion: ban single-use plastic on all trekking routes and make compostable alternatives mandatory. Also, why not involve local youth as 'environment guardians'—they can earn some income while protecting their home. 🙏
I respect Anil Prakash Joshi's views but I think we need stricter enforcement alongside awareness. Sikkim succeeded because they had a phased implementation and strict penalties. In Uttarakhand, our tourism industry is booming but the infrastructure for waste management hasn't kept pace. Why not set up a mandatory waste deposit system at the base—
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.