 As
members of the Indian Adventure Fraternity Industry, we undertake
to follow the Ecological Code of Conduct and to promote minimum
impact tourism. It is our duty to follow the rule of great
outdoors "take only photographs
- leave only footprints - give something back to the local
environment / community".
Environment
Preservation of natural
environment
-
No trees, branches
or any flora to be cut.
-
No defacing of
trees, rocks or any natural structure. No big colorful
hoardings and banners on the beaches.
-
Avoid using pollutants
such as detergents/ shampoos/ soaps in streams and springs.
-
Encourage the use
of solar energy for cooking, lighting and heating where
possible.
-
Encourage tree
planting in the vicinity of your tented camp area. Check
the appropriate plant species with the forest department.
Preserving Wildlife
Hunting, trapping of animals
/ birds and using dynamite to catch fish should not be allowed.
Fishing should be allowed only after obtaining proper permits.
All instances of poaching, dynamiting, illicit felling of
trees and illegal forest activity should be reported to the
forest / wild life authorities.
Waste Disposal
-
Bury and burn
biodegradable wastes i.e. egg shells, vegetable and fruit
peels, paper etc. Non biodegradable waste i.e. plastic,
batteries, aluminum foil packets, glass, tin, bottle caps
etc. to be sensibly disposed off in the city garbage dumps
or recycled where possible through the local kabadis.
-
Human waste: Toilets
should be at least 20 meters away from the river and no
excreta/ waste should go into the river. Dry pit toilets
should be lined with lime and covered when half full.
Dry pit toilets should not be on the beach sand but on
the forest soil since it has greater organic content required
for microbial activity for faster decomposition of human
feces.
-
Bathing: Should
be done at least 20 meters away from the river / streams
and preferably above the high water mark. Encourage tourists
not to wash off soap / shampoo directly into a river /
stream.
Fuel for Cooking/Campfires
-
Only cooking gas
and kerosene oil to be used for cooking. No wood to be
used.
-
Have only small
/ symbolic campfires if you must. Do not collect driftwood
from any place where the local community might use it
for cooking. It is recommended to buy crate / waste wood
from the forest department / authorized sale points in
towns. Do not buy wood from the local villagers. Campfires
must not be lit close to trees or forested areas and should
be put-off at night after use and during windy conditions.
Noise Pollution
Use of PA systems, loud
speakers, loud generators or tape recorders should be discouraged.
Firecrackers (loud bombs) should not be encouraged.
Expedition Rafting
-
Bury biodegradable
wastes and carry all non- biodegradable waste on the raft
to the take out and dispose sensibly.
-
Toilets: Toilet
tents should be positioned well above the high water mark.
If toilet tents are not being used, tourists should be
advised to cover their doings and burn and bury the toilet
paper. They should be advised to go away from the beach.
Minimum Impact on
Local Culture
-
Respect local
customs and traditions specially while visiting local
villages and religious places.
-
Tourists should
be modestly clad specially while crossing villages, towns
and inhabited areas while driving to the put-in or driving
back from the take out and beaches close to villages /
towns on the river.
-
Do not encourage
begging by giving money, sweets etc to the locals. Just
a polite `namaste' will do.
-
Discourage loud
behavior when visiting local villages/settlements. Kissing
and public displays of affection should be avoided.
-
Photographs should
be taken only after seeking permission of the people concerned.
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