“Be a part of the solution, not a part of pollution.” The Himalayas have been serving as natural barrier for tens of thousands of years. They are inhabited by 52.7 million people, spread across five countries. Not only are they brimming with natural beauty, they have helped influence people from all walks of life in countless ways.
One of these people is Mr. Pradeep Sangwan. Initially from Haryana, he moved to Manali in 2009. It was a choice that changed his life and the lives of numerous others. He developed an interest in trekking trails. At first, he covered the short treks, gradually moving on to the longer treks of Himachal Pradesh. He noticed that the garbage left behind by hikers was a common issue. Mr. Sangwan and his friend, Mr. Vikas Kumar, began collecting the garbage on their treks. This unknowingly formed the setting stones of the Healing Himalayas.
This foundation was established in April 2016. It organizes trekking expeditions to obscure Himalayan summits. Mr. Singh agrees that Bollywood movies such as “Yeh Jawani hai Deewani” and “Highway” depict the thrill of mountaineering among youngsters. Travel agencies attract enthusiastic explorers with beautiful sunset points, starry skies and pleasant weather. However, reality is much different from this idealistic point of view.
The Healing Himalayas group involves volunteers who can join Mr. Pradeep and his team on their journeys upon magnificent trails like the Kheerganga, Srikhand Mahadev, Hampta pass, Jogini falls, Prashar lake and many more. They collect plastic bottles, plates, abandoned tents, bags, etc. in their own jute collection bags. With the help of locals, these bags are moved to two recycling plants in the Himachals, where power is produced by transforming waste into energy. The indefatigable efforts of Mr. Sangwan and his young unit are enlightening distant towns. Mr. Pradeep Sangwan revealed, so far they have collected around 400,000 kg of non- biodegradable waste. He said in an interview, “ We pay occasional visits to these areas to ensure the guidelines are kept up and that the awareness drives are in full swing. Instead of inhaling the fresh mountain air in peaceful environment, people want to drink and smoke while playing deafening music around the bonfire,” he added.
In the last ‘ Mann ki baat’ broadcast of the year, PM Narendra Modi said, “ You must have also felt in your life, that when you do something for the society, then society itself gives us the energy to do much more. Normal sources of inspiration can accomplish great tasks. One such young man is Pradeep Sangwan.” In 2018, they adopted three villages where the locals are educated about solid waste management techniques. Once the Coronavirus pandemic subsides, Mr. Sangwan desires to begin waste collection again. He also said that his campaigns on social media platforms acted as a powerful tool.
Frank Smythe explained the importance of the Himalayas in this wonderful quote, “There is something about the Himalayas not possessed by the Alps, something unseen and unknown, a charm pervading every hour spent among them, a mystery both intriguing and disturbing. Confronted by them, a man loses his grasp of ordinary things, perceiving himself as immortal, an entity capable of outdistancing all changes, all decay, all life and all death.”
Further insights into the world of the Healing Himalayas:
Website: https://healinghimalayas.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeep-sangwan-04023b120
Instagram: https://instagram.com/healinghimalayas?utm_medium=copy_link
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealingHimalayas/