Every trek teaches us something — about the mountains, and about the responsibility that comes with walking through them.

At Indiahikes, we’ve always believed that trekking isn’t just about reaching a summit. It’s about learning to give back to the mountains that give us so much.

That’s where the Green Sweep comes in.

It happens on every single trek. Trekkers collect waste from the trail, bring it down to the base, and then we send it to our waste partners — closing the loop responsibly. But behind this simple act lies years of thought and discipline — one that has shaped who we are as an organisation.

For us, sustainability isn’t a campaign. It’s a way of trekking. It’s what makes a trek complete.

Even after a decade of cleaning trails and starting conversations around waste, we still see litter on our trails. And that’s okay — because this work was never about erasing trash. It’s about awakening awareness. It’s about people noticing, caring, and choosing to act.

That’s why we don’t just promote sustainability — we insist on it. It’s in every Green Sweep, every eco-bag, every briefing, every small action on the mountain.

And over the years, we’ve begun to see a shift — a shift from awareness to ownership. Trekkers today don’t just listen; they act. They care. And it fills us with joy every single time.

The team that gave back to the mountains — wholeheartedly.

One such moment came from our 18th–23rd October Deoriatal–Chandrashila team, where trekkers collected 50.1 kg of waste from the trail.

Out of 24 trekkers, 17 were first-timers. Yet, their intent and energy were far from that of beginners.

When a Trek Leader talks about sustainability, it makes an impression. But when trekkers start having those conversations among themselves — that’s when ownership begins. And that’s exactly what happened here..

Summit days are special. But this one — this one meant something deeper.

On summit day, the plan was simple. The team carried their eco-bags and a few larger sacks to clean the Tungnath–Chandrashila trail on their way down from Baniyakund.

It started with just four sacks. But as they moved along, they realised even a hundred wouldn’t be enough. The trail, crowded with tourists visiting the highest Shiva temple in the world, was overflowing with litter.

Yet, what stood out wasn’t the waste. It was the intent. Despite the fatigue of summit day, trekkers chose to give back. By the time they descended, they had collected eight sacks of waste — far more than anyone expected.

As they worked, others began to notice. Locals and tourists stopped to watch. Some asked questions. Some joined in. 

These small gestures may seem simple, but they mean everything. They show that when one person acts, others follow. A ripple begins.

Encouraged by this, the team went a step further — cleaning all the way from Chopta to Baniyakund..

How Indiahikes set the intentions right!

This intent didn’t just happen — Vani, their Trek Leader, had sewn it into the team from the start.

She told them, “In the next few days, you’ll be receiving so much from the mountain — its beauty, its challenges, its lessons. The Green Sweep is your way of giving something back.”

Even during the summit briefing, she reminded them again:

“Once we reach the summit, if you’d like to give back, join me. I’ll carry extra sacks. We’ll start our Green Sweep right from the top.”

Because often, when trekkers reach the summit, they think the trek is over. But really, that’s where it begins — where gratitude turns into action.

Over the years, we’ve seen how these small acts of care ripple outward.

 Locals start recognising us — “Oh, this must be Indiahikes.” Some offer water, some words of appreciation.

That shift — from curiosity to recognition — is the real reward of this work.

Because the Green Sweep was never about the kilos of waste we collect. It was always about the awareness we leave behind. About sparking conversations that stay long after the trek ends.

Yes, waste will come again — it always does. But every time someone bends down to pick it up, every time a passerby stops to notice, we know something has changed.

The Green Sweep isn’t just an activity. It’s a reflection of who we are on the mountain — mindful, responsible, and deeply connected to the land we walk on.