Sustainable Trekking Initiative Launched to Protect Himalayan Ecology

Nepal’s Mustang district, a major trekking and pilgrimage destination, has been declared a plastic-free tourism zone. The local administration has banned single-use plastics in all tourist lodges, trekking routes, and marketplaces starting June 1.

Trekking agencies must now ensure biodegradable packaging, and tourists will receive reusable bottles and eco-bags at entry checkpoints. Environmental groups have lauded the decision, calling it a bold step toward sustainable tourism.

The move could serve as a model for eco-tourism in Indian Himalayan states and Bhutan’s trekking zones, which face similar waste-related challenges.