From trash to tranquility: Bharmour to launch sacred trek cleanliness mission
In a significant move to preserve the sanctity and natural beauty of the sacred Manimahesh pilgrimage route, the Bharmour administration is launching a large-scale cleanliness campaign from July 15 to 30. The campaign will focus on removing legacy waste from the 14-km trek between Hadsar and Manimahesh Lake — a site deeply revered by devotees of Lord Shiva.
The objective is to ensure a cleaner environment for pilgrims ahead of the annual Manimahesh Yatra but also to inculcate a sense of responsibility among visitors and locals towards sustainable tourism.
Each year, lakhs of pilgrims undertake the arduous journey through the Himalayas to seek blessings at Manimahesh Lake, nestled at an altitude of nearly 13,500 feet. However, the growing influx of visitors has led to a sharp rise in plastic and other non-biodegradable waste along the route, threatening the fragile ecosystem of the region. From discarded PET bottles and food wrappers to polythene bags and leftover food, the accumulation of trash has become a pressing environmental issue.
Bharmour Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Kulbir Singh Rana said the initiative was an important step towards maintaining the sanctity of the pilgrimage and protecting the ecological balance. “The objective of the campaign is not only to clean the route and the lake but also to spread awareness about responsible travel and waste management. We want to involve as many people as possible in this collective effort,” he said.
The campaign will be supported by a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) being set up in Bharmour, where the segregated waste will be processed. Recyclable items will be sold through scrap dealer networks to generate funds for future cleanups, biodegradable waste will be composted and certain plastic types may be diverted for use as fuel in cement plants. The initiative is aligned with the Himachal Pradesh Government’s plastic buy-back policy to promote waste reduction and recycling.
“Over 100 individual volunteers have already signed up for the campaign, alongside green groups, NGOs, academic institutions and corporate CSR teams,” said Rana, “We urge more and more people to register and join the effort”.
The Manimahesh Trust will provide logistic support to the volunteers with accommodation, community kitchen, transportation and safety kits. They will also be provided essential items for the drive including garbage bags, masks, and sanitation kits.
With hashtags like #CleanManiMahesh and #SacredCleanup2025, the campaign hopes to inspire long-term environmental stewardship and restore the pristine spirit of this sacred Himalayan journey.
Himachal Tribune