Stories
Kedarnath Pilgrims Haul 12 Tonnes of Plastic Waste Down Mountain in Eco-Initiative
- •Nearly 5,000 Kedarnath pilgrims have voluntarily carried over 12 tonnes of compressed plastic waste from the shrine to Gaurikund as part of the 'Carry Me Back' campaign.
- •The initiative addresses the significant waste management challenges at the high-altitude Kedarnath shrine, located at 11,755 feet, which sees a huge volume of waste during pilgrimage season.
- •Pilgrims, including those from Tamil Nadu and Odisha, have been seen carrying bags of plastic waste, with some even using bicycles or walking several kilometers with the garbage.
- •The campaign has gained social media attention, encouraging more participation, with individuals like Madan Lal, who has one arm amputated, and Ankita Singh, carrying substantial amounts of waste.
- •The administration hopes the campaign will foster greater responsibility among pilgrims for waste generated during their journey, helping to preserve the fragile Himalayan environment around Kedarnath.
Key Questions Answered
The local administration's 'Carry Me Back' campaign encourages pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath shrine to voluntarily carry bags of compressed plastic waste down the mountain from Kedarnath to Gaurikund. Nearly 5,000 pilgrims have participated so far, bringing down over 12 tonnes of plastic garbage to help tackle the shrine's growing sanitation and waste management challenges.
The Rudraprayag district administration reported that around 25 tonnes of waste have been collected along the Kedarnath pilgrimage route through ongoing sanitation operations. Additionally, more than 50 tonnes of waste have been collected via a Deposit Refund System where individuals deposit waste to receive a refund, while the Kedarnath Nagar Panchayat recorded 50.30 metric tonnes of waste generated between April and August 2026.
The use of mobile phones has been completely prohibited within the Kedarnath Temple premises. This strict rule was implemented to preserve the sanctity of the shrine and prevent devotees from being disturbed by people taking photos, videos, or recording reels inside the temple area.
