The Himalayan Clean-up Team
The Himalayan Cleanup (THC) is back for its 8th year! Conceptualised by Zero Waste Himalaya and Integrated Mountain Initiative in 2018, THC has grown to become one of the biggest campaigns to raise awareness and demand action against plastic pollution in the mountains. Running from May 26 - June 5, the THC is open to all – individuals/organisations/institutions. The campaign that uses cleanup as a tool for individuals and organisations to understand the waste crisis at deeper level, has seen massive participation across the Indian Himalayan States in the last 6 years. With the theme of Reflect, Switch and Demand, THC calls on everyone to reflect on the issue of waste, switch to sustainable practices and demand for better products and systems.
THC is a result of volunteer groups who undertake cleanup in specific sites and then conduct waste and brand audits on the waste collected. The collated data helps in identifying the top polluting companies of the mountains and also, in providing waste management strategies. Since 2018, over 5000 sites have been cleaned up with the participation of over 35000 volunteers.
THC 2025 hits a significant milestone as the campaign goes international with Nepal and Bhutan also joining in the movement. This year the World Environment Day 2025 theme is #EndPlasticPollution which gives even more impetus to highlight the Himalayan waste crisis and promote mountain solutions. It comes exactly two months before countries meet again to continue negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution where it has become pertinent to highlight specifically issues of the mountains.
We all know that plastic waste is plaguing the world and now studies have proven that plastics threaten human health. IMI along with Zero Waste Himalaya has been highlighting the need for mountain sensitive policies and advocating for solutions with a systemic and design lens that builds on individual and community actions. THC has been key in shifting the narrative of waste from the bin, broom, burn and landfills to having a holistic understanding on production and consumption, and to demand responsibility from plastic producing companies.
Zero Waste Himalaya an alliance of many different organisations working on waste across the mountain regions, calls on everyone to be part of this movement. Coordinating organisations for the State shall be reaching out to schools, organisations, Government agencies and elected representatives for forging partnerships to strengthen the movement in every State. More information can be availed from www.thehimalayancleanup.in.
In Nagaland, for this year’s THC, Living For Environment (LiFE) and Methadou, YouthNet will be the State Coordinators.
