Leave No Trace (LNT) refers to a set of trail ethics or moral belief that teaches values designed to promote conservation in the outdoors. The organization Leave No Trace exists to educate people on their impact on nature as well how the principles of LNT prevent and minimize such environmental impacts.
Himalayan Dynasty asks that our guests follow the environmentally acceptable trekking procedures while with us in the fragile mountain environment as it is being damaged by careless or ill-informed trekkers. Leave No Trace provides the following seven principles which Himalayan Dynasty strictly ask travellers to comprehend and sustain:
Plan Ahead and Prepare:
We appeal traveller to do serious homework regarding your destination you have signed for before coming to Nepal. Appropriate packing, country’s rules and regulations, weather condition, hazards and emergencies and especially the company you have booked with needs to be thoroughly researched. Because, poorly prepared people, when presented with unexpected situations are most like to make poor decisions that could degrade the outdoors or put themselves at risk. Proper planning leads to less impact. Minimize waste as much as possible.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces:
As we all know there are only a few destinations in Nepal where you can do camping like the Far-West region. ost of the trekking organised in Nepal is now tea-house trekking. However, we still request our travellers to use the already existing trail or the campsite for camping. These days’ people tend to explore new trails (instead of already existing) and new campsite space for better views or resources. This would only initiate injury to the surrounding setting of the area's ecosystem. While operating a teahouse or camping trek in Nepal it is always wise not to do any kind of washing in the nearby lakes or streams. All washing should be done away from the rivers or streams or lakes using bio-degradable soap. Any such touristy activity should be away from the vegetation area rather we can focus more on already prevailing areas. We are being cautious of areas where the impacts of tourism have just been showing. Damage to land occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond repair. The resulting barren area leads to unusable trails, campsites and soil erosion.
Dispose of Waste Properly:
We recommend that each trekker keep and use a small rubbish bag in their day pack. While on the trail there are ample trash-cans meant for both bio-degradable and non-degradable. We ask our guest to dispose of the garbage applicably and in a proper way. Mineral Water Bottle which is rampant in most of our trekking destination has been the main source of litter. Do not buy disposable bottled water on the trails as they are not recycled, you and always buy drinking water from the safe drinking station or the boiled and cooled filter jar that every teahouse has. While on the trail you would most probably see wrapper of instant noodles, tobacco, chocolate bars etc which can be basically from the locals who are not aware of the environmental hazards. This is the reason whey “Do Like the Romans do” phrase doesn’t apply in Nepal. However, the National park always clears these trash at a particular time of the season. Trash and litter are primarily social impacts which can greatly detract from the naturalness of an area.
Leave What You Find:
Leave No Trace directs people to minimize site alterations, such as digging tent trenches, hammering nails into trees, permanently clearing an area of rocks or twigs, and removing items. We recommend all our guest to leave rocks, plants or any other natural objects that you find on the way alone. Further, we don’t encourage travellers in buying illegitimate items like the yak horns, Deer musk, rare Himalayan incense etc.
Minimize Campfire Impacts:
We all know and have surely done it couple times in our lifetime is the pleasure of organizing campfires. Most of us can’t even think of overnight camping without a campfire. However, with all the environmental impacts and the weather change, its high time to be rational and minimize campfire. There has been considerable surrounding degradation due to the overuse of campfire and the demand for firewood. Leave no Trace teaches to seek alternatives to fires or use low-impact fires. There is always an alternative to campfires. We can use a lightweight stove or we can minimize the size of the campfire without hindering the surrounding. Besides, there has been an ample amount of fire hazards which has been initiated by such campfires or campfires that weren’t put-out properly.
Respect Wildlife:
Minimizing the impact on wildlife and ecosystems. While travelling in any part of Nepal we would be thrilled coming in a close encounter with the wildlife. However, we recommend all our guest to respect wildlife. Maintain silence and safe distance whenever you come in close contact with the wild animals. Use long-range cameras to capture the cherished shots from appropriate distance without bothering their serenity. Under any circumstances, don’t feed the wildlife as that may create an adverse effect on their health or their natural behaviours. Protect wildlife by disposing of your waste properly.
In Nepal, you would encounter stray dogs who love to follow the feeding tourists. We don’t encourage feeling stray dogs as they interrupt the serenity of the wildlife.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors:
Most of the time when we are travelling, it’s all about us our group and we tend to overlook or ignore the others. Following hiking manners and maintaining quiet allows visitors to go through the wilderness with minimal impact. We recommend all our guest to avoid loud voices while walking on the trail, while you are in the campsite or in a teahouse as that may disturb the other visitors. Everybody has the right to way, so while on the trail be cautious and give way to the passers-by. Some people love to present their stories to the other traveller regarding where they have been, the delicious food, the excursions, the best campsite or lodge etc, however, let them enjoy the surprises as they have their own itinerary and programme. We ask all our guests not to be judgemental of other travellers as we all know in reality things do not follow this pattern