Green Hiker Campaign launched in Uttarakhand

Initiated by WWF-India, the Green Hiker Campaign is in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and its Incredible India initiative . The campaign aims at raising awareness about the vulnerability of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and encouraging tourists and tour operators to adopt responsible practices towards minimizing the footprint of tourism. Green Hiker propagates the positive, direct message of 'Nature leaves a mark on you, don't leave one behind'.

Shortly WWF-India will be organizing workshops, specifically for tour operators, transporters, other service providers, and local NGOs, in collaboration with State government departments (Forest and Tourism) with an aim to encourage responsible tourism practices.

Through awareness raising material like posters, postcards, banners and educational activities, tourists, as well as, tourism service providers will be made aware of the vulnerability of the ecosystem and the sustainable alternatives available to reduce their footprint.

A collaboration with local communities and stakeholders like the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam will be sought in order to help the Green Hiker campaign and other conservation efforts take firm root and grow in Uttarakhand.

Dr. Sejal Worah, Programme Director, was in Doon to unveil the campaign and collaterals. WWF-India also screened a short film on the occasion to sensitize the people on ecological issues. Addressing a large gathering she averred that : "What we all have to collectively work on is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of tourism on the high altitude Himalayas. Green Hiker has been launched with help from the ministry of tourism, Government of India, and it's Incredible India initiative. It aims at raising awareness about the vulnerability of the fragile Himalayan eco-system and encouraging tourists and tour operators to adopt responsible practices towards minimizing the footprint of tourism."

Green Hiker propagates the positive, direct message of "Nature leaves a mark on you, don't leave one behind." Worah further informed that this campaign is running under the WWF's 'Saving Wetkands Sky High' which is working to conserve high altitude wetlands in the Himalayas, covering the states of Jammu and Kashmir, HP, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.