As millions climb to Kedarnath each year, environmental activist Pradeep Sangwan is inspiring visitors to carry back one kilogram of waste with them. His initiative, #CarryMeBack, seeks to transform how pilgrims interact with the fragile Himalayan environment by making waste removal a part of the journey.
- Each pilgrim encouraged to return with at least 1 kg of waste
- Campaign could remove 100 tonnes of waste if 100,000 participate
- Effort tracked digitally to measure impact in real time
What happened
Pradeep Sangwan, founder of Healing Himalayas, has launched the #CarryMeBack campaign asking pilgrims visiting Kedarnath to carry at least one kilogram of waste back with them on their return journey. This initiative builds on more than a decade of Sangwan’s efforts cleaning trekking routes in the Indian Himalayas, where increasing pilgrimage numbers have left troubling amounts of rubbish along the trails.
In recent years, discarded plastic bottles, food packaging, and other waste have overwhelmed campsites and rest stops. Instead of only organizing clean-up drives, Sangwan’s campaign turns every traveler into an active participant in waste removal. Early results show hundreds of people helping remove over a tonne of waste in just ten days, signaling strong momentum for the initiative.
Why it feels good
This campaign empowers individual pilgrims to make a tangible difference without needing to carry large amounts of waste—just a kilogram or even a few hundred grams can collectively have enormous impact. Knowing their small action contributes to preserving a sacred place adds personal meaning and responsibility to the pilgrimage experience.
Moreover, the initiative raises awareness about the environmental footprint of mass tourism and encourages a cultural shift towards sustainable pilgrimage practices. Seeing fellow travelers unite in this shared effort fosters a sense of community, stewardship, and hope for cleaner mountain sanctuaries.
What to enjoy or watch next
Follow the progress of the #CarryMeBack campaign on social media and through real-time digital tracking platforms as they map volunteer involvement and quantify waste removed. These updates highlight inspiring stories from pilgrims and volunteers who have embraced this movement.
Looking ahead, the Healing Himalayas Foundation aims to expand its outreach and conduct further waste audits to better understand and reduce the sources of discarded materials. This growing community-driven approach offers a hopeful model for protecting fragile ecosystems amid increasing tourist footfall worldwide.