Every year on June 5, the world celebrates World Environment Day — a global platform for raising awareness and spurring action to protect our planet. In 2025, the theme is "Beat Plastic Pollution", with the Republic of Korea hosting the global event.
This year, we go beyond the usual focus. We’re not just talking about cities, oceans, and factories — we’re also turning our gaze towards mountains, forests, and trekking trails.
🚨 Global Challenge: Plastic Pollution + Tourist Footprints
Plastic pollution is choking our rivers and oceans, but it’s also creeping into our most pristine natural habitats — from snow-capped peaks to lush trekking trails.
🏞️ The Untold Cost of Tourism on Trekking Routes
Tourism brings joy, jobs, and cultural exchange — but irresponsible tourism leaves behind a trail of destruction:
Plastic waste on trekking trails: Popular Himalayan routes like Triund, Kedarkantha, and Valley of Flowers are now littered with snack wrappers, plastic bottles, and single-use cutlery.
Deforestation and erosion: Overuse of narrow paths by large trekking groups leads to trail erosion, which harms native plants and disrupts animal movement.
Waste mismanagement: In remote regions, lack of proper disposal infrastructure means much of the waste is burned or dumped in open pits.
Microplastic infiltration: Even the glacial waters, once crystal clear, now carry microplastics from disposed plastic waste.
🌿 Did You Know? In Uttarakhand alone, nearly 30 tonnes of waste are collected from trekking trails every year, much of it non-biodegradable!
🇮🇳 India’s Environmental Action: From Forests to Footpaths
🛑 Government Measures Against Plastic
Plastic Waste Management Rules 2021: Bans on single-use plastics and a push for compostable alternatives.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Corporates must account for plastic they produce — over 1 million tonnes processed by Dec 2024.
🌲 Green Missions & Clean Trekking
10 Crore Tree Plantation Drive (June–September 2025): Aligned with “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” this initiative urges every citizen to plant at least one tree.
Eco-sensitive Zone Regulation: Trekking permissions in some areas like Roopkund have been suspended to allow ecological recovery.
Eco Development Committees: Formed in states like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh to involve local villagers in sustainable tourism management.
🌍 Global Actions to Beat Plastic Pollution
🌊 International Cooperation
Plastic Pollution Treaty (in progress): Nations are negotiating a legally binding agreement to phase out avoidable plastic.
UN Ocean Conference 2025 (Nice, France): Will launch “Nice Ocean Agreements” to limit marine plastic and promote circular economies.
🎯 Targets to Achieve by 2030
🌿 Tree Cover: 33% of geographical area for India and Restore 1 billion hectares for the world
🔋 Renewable Energy :50% of power capacity for India and Net-zero pledges by 70+ countries.
🚯 Plastic Waste : Ban all single-use plastic in India and 100% recyclable plastic packaging for the world.
🧗♀️ What You Can Do: Especially While Trekking!
Whether you're a weekend hiker or a hardcore trekker, your actions matter:
✅ Carry reusable gear: Avoid plastic bottles and packaged snacks
✅ Leave No Trace: Pack out everything you pack in — including banana peels!
✅ Travel off-season: Reduce the burden on fragile ecosystems
✅ Support eco-certified tour operators
✅ Volunteer in trail clean-up campaigns or donate to reforestation drives
This World Environment Day 2025, let’s not just talk — let’s act. From mountaintops to coastlines, the planet needs us to choose sustainability every step of the way.
🌱 Together, we can beat plastic pollution — one trek, one tree, one thoughtful choice at a time. 🌎
