Trail traffic in the Sahyadris has grown ten-fold in a decade. The mountains absorbed it with grace — but the plastic at Kalsubai's summit and the graffiti in Harishchandragad's caves say we're testing their patience.
The seven principles, Sahyadri edition
- Carry every wrapper down — yours and one that isn't
- No music speakers; the forest has a soundtrack
- No graffiti, no carving, no 'was here'
- Stick to marked trails; shortcuts cause erosion
- Village hospitality is a privilege — pay fairly, behave like a guest
- Campfires only in designated spots, fully extinguished
- Photograph wildlife; never feed it
Every LTA trek runs a summit cleanup. Ten minutes, gloves provided, and the mountain looks like we were never there. That's the whole idea.
