Adventure activities and wastes in Nature

Dr. B.K. Chakrapani

As adventurers, excitement climbs up our spines, when we remember our times spent amidst the green wild forests.  A tough time on a rock face or just the word 'Himalayas', we have to remember that we are also responsible for some other aspects associated with the adventure activities which we love so much and endear to.

A revelation through information gathered during one expedition was enough to set me thinking on these lines. We as adventurers are certainly blessed with some uniquely satisfying feelings of overcoming some challenges. We are able to get so much from nature for ourselves, we should feel responsible and ponder over the impact on nature that we create through adventure activities. What adventurers leave behind is 'Wastes' after making use of some essential requirements to make ourselves comfortable as well as to attempt achieve the goals set for ourselves. Generally, the local people seem to use much less of packaged materials as compared to adventurers and tourists. Of course it can now a days be made out that some locals who sell general merchandise for the local villagers have started selling some packaged essentials popular among adventurers. The locals are also drawn into using such materials more out of fascination in the beginning and later, seem to use them often when they can afford to buy. It is going to be a serious problem for them in due course, if the non-biodegradable waste are not managed. This is more so because of the lack of knowledge about the environmental impact that such wastes could create in the long run.

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