Sustainable Trekking in Nepal

Trekking to Nepal
12 min read
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December 4, 2024
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The land of soaring peaks and a paradise for trekkers, Nepal is known for the cultural experiences and the thrilling adventures that one can have while trekking in Nepal. This is also the reason why the trails of the country beckon trekkers from all across the world.

However, with the growing popularity of the trekking trails of Nepal, you will also find that the trails are often extremely crowded. Amidst the crowd, many significant social and environmental challenges are affecting these trails.

Therefore, as trekkers, it is our prime responsibility to ensure that the integrity and the beauty of these trekking trails are well maintained for the sake of the locals as well as the future generations of trekkers.

But how do we minimize our impact on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem of Nepal? Well, sustainable trekking is the answer. Sustainable trekking in Nepal is now crucial more than ever.

In this blog, we have compiled a detailed guide regarding sustainable trekking in Nepal to make you aware of the dos and don’ts which can ensure we leave only our footprints and take away just the memories from these treks.

Understanding Sustainable Trekking

Before delving any deeper, the knowledge of what sustainable trekking exactly is, is quite crucial. Simply put, sustainable trekking refers to traveling through a place in a way that minimizes all the negative impacts on the environment.

It is a trekking approach in which you balance the environmental, societal, cultural, and economical aspects of the trek. Along with preserving the local resources and cultural heritages, you will also be supporting the local economy.

Sustainable trekking in Nepal basically includes simple things like reducing carbon footprint, respecting wildlife, minimizing waste, respecting local customs, staying in locally owned teahouses, and things like that.

Sustainable trekking becomes even more important in a place like Nepal where trekking is a major contributor to the economy. By embracing sustainable trekking in Nepal, you will be helping mitigate the strain on the fragile ecosystem of the country and contributing positively to the region.

The Environmental Impact of Trekking

The delicate ecosystem of the Himalayas of Nepal, where most of the trekking trails of Nepal are based, is not immune to the harmful effects that trekkers in a large number can cause.

Pollution

First and foremost, crowds in the trekking trails of Nepal means people visiting the region with their fair share of luggage and other things. In such a scenario, most of the people end up littering the trekking trails with plastic waste like food wrappers.

This pollution is not just limited to the trails but also extends to the water sources of the region. Usage of things like detergents and soap, even human waste at time, can significantly pollute the limited water sources of the region.

In the challenging weather conditions of a trek, most people would opt for a hot shower. Due to limited resources on the trail, a cooking stove would be used which can cause a significant amount of air pollution too.

Waste Management

Another major challenge in the remote trails of Nepal is waste management. The trekking routes usually are lacking when it comes to proper systems for waste disposal.

This can lead to accumulation of garbage in the trekking routes as well as campsites. This is one of the reasons why the Everest Base Camp trek has been battling with the issues related to garbage for years now.

Climate Change

Things like increasing use of fossil fuels in the delicate trekking routes and other unsustainable practices have led to climate change which has now been causing alterations in long term weather patterns of the trekking areas.

Along with that, some areas have even been experiencing loss of general as well as endangered biodiversity. Trail erosion, littering, and habitat disruption too have been observed in the trekking regions.

This change in the climatic condition have also resulted in increased frequency as well as intensity of natural disasters like avalanches and landslides in the trekking trails of Nepal.

Wildlife Disturbance

Most of the trekking routes of Nepal are located within the national parks and conservation areas of Nepal. And while trekking, we tend to forget that the sole purpose of the creation of these protected areas of Nepal was to provide a safe habitat to the wildlife.

Human presence, pollution, deforestation, air quality depletion, and even climate change has led to disturbing the wildlife of the trekking areas up to a high extent which has even disrupted their habitat in turn.

Social and Cultural Considerations

Besides the environmental effects that trekking in Nepal can have, there are some social and cultural aspects too which are affected by the overcrowding on the trails of Nepal.

Cultural Degradation

Nepal is a beautiful country with many cultural groups coexisting while making sure to respect each other’s traditions and participate in each other’s festivals with equal joy. However, the excess tourism in the country might have led to loss of cultural authenticity in some places.

Trekkers and tourists might not always understand the importance of these cultural nuances in the country and sometimes might even end up disrespecting them in a way. This causes the locals to commodify the traditions and dilute them to cater to tourists.

With the involvement of people in the tourism and hospitality business, a slight trend of commercialization and modification of local traditions and customs has been observed.

Leakage of Benefits

Trekking is seen as one of the main sources of income in the trekking regions of Nepal as the local communities mostly rely on trekkers for their livelihood. However, a trend of leakage of benefits has been observed in these areas lately.

With many tour operators and foreign investors operating in these areas, a big chunk of the money that the trekkers spend is flowing primarily to them and the locals are left with limited income generation.

Exploitation of Workers

Despite the overflowing number of trekkers in the trekking regions of Nepal, it has been observed that there is an unfair treatment of local workers including the porters and guides.

They are the ones who make your trekking experience much safer and more convenient and work hard, but they are left with minimal wages without job security and benefits. This can be seen as an abuse of human rights too.

Practices for Sustainable Trekking in Nepal

While all these challenges can put a significant impact on the fragile ecosystem of Nepal, there are some steps that you can take as a trekker to minimize these impacts and preserve the trails for future generations to come.

Packing and Preparation

Sustainable trekking practices start long before you hit the trail. Taking proper precautions right while packing can help reduce the environmental impacts of trekking and ensure a more enjoyable experience.

Research your routes and make smarter choices while packing. Opt for reusable and durable items rather than packing one time use things. Pack as less plastic as possible because plastic pollution is a major issue in Nepal.

Bring a reusable water bottle and water purification tablets rather than buying bottled water on the trail. Pack environmentally friendly cosmetic items and toiletries rather than the ones with high level of chemicals.

Opt for convertible clothing rather than carrying many normal pieces of clothing. Avoid carrying snacks packaged in plastic bags. Make sure to pack light to reduce the burden on the porters.

Choosing Responsible Trekking Agencies

When it comes to sustainability, not all trekking agencies are the same. Some might be focused more on their own profits and convenience rather than the comfort of trekkers or preserving the trails.

However, you will find some responsible trekking agencies inclined more towards prioritizing the well-being of the trekking environments and local communities as they understand the value of sustainable trekking.

Make sure you choose such responsible trekking agencies to partner with as they pay fair wages to their staff including the guides and porters, minimize the environmental impact, as well as contribute to the local conservation efforts.

One such responsible trekking agency is Ace the Himalaya. At Ace, we ensure the comfort of our trekkers while also making sure that we don’t impact the environment in the course of giving our trekkers an experience of their lifetime.

Etiquettes While Trekking

There are certain etiquettes that you should adhere to while trekking which can make your trek a much more sustainable experience. Some of these trekking etiquettes are listed below:

  • Water can be a scarce and precious resource in many trekking trails in Nepal. Therefore, you should be mindful of your water usage and opt for alternatives to frequent showers and laundry.
  • Make sure that you carry out everything that you are taking inside the trail, especially the waste and then you dispose of it at a designated waste management site.
  • If you are carrying disposable toiletries like a single-use razor, be mindful to dispose of them at the correct places. It is best to carry biodegradable items as much as possible.
  • Strictly adhere to the Leave No Trace principle and make sure you neither leave anything behind on the trail nor carry out anything from there like plucking a flower or so.
  • Due to limited accessibility in the remote areas of Nepal, the trekking trails usually rely on traditional energy sources which constantly damage the fragile ecosystem. Therefore, you should indulge in fuel efficient practices.
  • Carry smart options like solar charges and solar lamps to reduce your reliance on electricity.
  • As a part of responsible tourism, you can create employment opportunities for locals by hiring local guides and porters who are well-versed in the region and can guide you around the area better.
  • Engage in cultural exchange in the trekking regions to prevent cultural dilution of the culturally rich areas. Learning a few phrases of Nepali starting from Namaste can go a long way.

Exploring Lesser-Known Routes

One way to reduce the impact of trekking and preventing overburdening the trails is to trek during the off seasons like the months of monsoon (June to August) and winter (December to February).

For those wanting to have unique trekking experiences, you can also opt for lesser-known trekking routes and off-the-beaten trekking paths like the Manaslu Circuit Trek or Upper Mustang Trek.

These routes experience much less crowded, and it is a win win for you as well as the trails. Along with alleviating the pressure on the popular trekking trails, it also gives you a quieter and more intimate trekking experience.

Community Based Tourism

Another major part of ensuring sustainable trekking in Nepal is to engage in community based tourism. While trekking, make sure that the money you are spending reaches the local people and supports the local economy.

You can do so by staying in locally owned teahouses and lodges, er even homestays, having local meals, participating in local festivals, and purchasing goods and souvenirs from local shops.

While this ensures that the economic benefits of trekking remain within the community, it also provides you with authentic cultural experiences and a chance to truly bond with the locals.

Respect for Wildlife and Flora

The trekking trails of Nepal are home to a wide range of wildlife including some of the most endangered, elusive, and rare ones. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the trekkers to ensure that you do not disturb the wildlife in any way.

One major step to ensure that you respect the flora, and fauna is to not stray off from your designated trail as you might accidentally enter the crossing routes of animals or even stamp on unique plants outside the designated trails.

Red Panda spotted during Everest Base Camp trek
Red Panda spotted during Everest Base Camp trek

Besides this, be mindful to observe the wildlife from a safe distance rather than intruding in their space which might put you at risk. Do not make sudden movements while in proximity and avoid making loud noises as this might disturb them.

Although it might seem harmless at the time, do not feed the animals in the region as this might alter their natural behavior making them dependent on humans in the long run.