Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, in collaboration with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), formally flagged off the Swachhata Trek to Kedarkantha, Uttarakhand, under the nationwide initiative “Shikhar Se Sagar Tak”, aimed at promoting cleanliness, environmental responsibility, and sustainable tourism.
The expedition seeks to spread awareness about maintaining ecological balance in trekking destinations while encouraging responsible tourism practices among adventure enthusiasts and local communities alike.
The trekking team will undertake a challenging journey covering approximately 55 kilometres over 10 days, from 28 May to 07 June 2026, reaching altitudes of nearly 12,500 feet. The route of the trek includes:
- Sankri
- Juda Ka Talab
- Kedarkantha Base Camp
- Kedarkantha Top
- Hargaon Village
- Return to Sankri
The expedition team comprises the trek leader along with nine members dedicated to carrying forward the message of cleanliness and environmental conservation in the Himalayan ecosystem.
The flag-off ceremony was graced by several distinguished dignitaries and eminent personalities, including:
- Shri Kumar Dilip, President, Sulabh International
- Col Vijay Singh (Retd.), VSM, President, Indian Mountaineering Foundation
- Col Madan Gurung (Retd.), Director, IMF
- Major K. S. Dhami, Member, IMF
- Shri Harish Joshi, Honorary Treasurer, IMF
- Professor Tamsin Bradley, Professor of International Development Studies, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
- Brig. R. P. Singh (Retd.)
- Col Sanjay Maharaj (Retd.)
- Shri Pankaj Jain, Controller General, Sulabh International
Distinguished members of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, officials from Sulabh International, and members of the trekking expedition were also present during the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Brig. R. P. Singh (Retd.) highlighted the deeper purpose behind the initiative and said:
“This Swachhata Trek is not an ordinary trekking. It is conscious trekking. It is a pledge that we will trek with purpose, leave no trace, carry back more waste than we create, and inspire every fellow trekker we meet.”
Emphasising the responsibility towards preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, he further remarked:
“The Himalayas do not need us. We need the Himalayas. They have given us oxygen, water, spirituality, and unmatched beauty. The least we can do is return their generosity with respect.”
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pankaj Jain, Controller General, Sulabh International, congratulated the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Sulabh teams for undertaking the initiative and underlined the importance of responsible tourism and environmental conservation in the Himalayan region. He said:
“Tourism is a vital economic driver for Uttarakhand, making it all the more essential to set exemplary standards in environmental conservation and sustainable practices.”
He also appreciated the growing impact of the Shikhar Se Sagar Tak campaign and noted that the Kedarkantha expedition marks the fourth mountain cleanliness initiative under the programme, following successful efforts at Adi Kailash, Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers.
Through the Swachhata Trek to Kedarkantha, Sulabh International continues its commitment towards environmental awareness, community participation, and promoting a cleaner and greener future for the nation.
