 One has to be careful about the path they walk on. Does it have any rare/beautiful flower, mushroom, tracks & signs of wild animals ? (pugmarks, etc.) These observations should be made. Under no circumstance should any material collection be done or encouraged on a trek. Every flower that we collect - and which we later on discard as it is useless to us – is a potential food or a micro-habitat for other living creatures (insects, birds). It might be an endangered species which may be lost forever by indiscriminate collection and careless trampling.
Do not catch butterflies for fun. Instead, make observations about their colours, pattern and flight. Make a note of plants they visit for feeding.
Do not disturb birds in their nests. In our quest to find nests, we may reveal its whereabouts to a potential predator and thereby endanger the life of its inhabitants.
Maintain silence as far as possible. Most trekkers, unfortunately, shout and scream during the treks. On reaching the top of a mountain or a pinnacle, shouting should be discouraged. Human voices in large volumes are disturbing for most wildlife species, especially mammals and birds.
Also maintaining silence and talking in low volumes (in whispers) may allow you to hear certain ‘jungle’ sounds like alarm calls given by langurs and macaques (monkeys) and other birds like peafowls. These indications should be carefully considered as this means that large predators like tigers, leopards or wild dogs are around. In case of a sudden encounter with such creatures, maintain silence, freeze on the spot and allow the animal(s) to pass by. All these animals are harmless, unless they are threatened by our careless and anxious actions like running helter-skelter, shouting, pelting stones, etc. care must be taken while dealing with encounters with sloth bears. They are quite common in Vasota (Koyna Nagar) area. Bears, being short-sighted, can come quite close to humans and this can be dangerous. Be ALERT and keep a careful lookout around you.
Take care not to pollute the water bodies with solid waste (plastic bags, wrappers) and human organic waste. Use an area quite away from the water body to attend nature’s call. If you have to drink water from the water tank available there, make sure the water is safe to drink. Carry liquid chlorine to disinfect the water you drink.
Water may be scarce in some areas. Do not waste it. Do not swim in water tanks kept for drinking purpose.
Carrying of radios or tapes should be discouraged and completely avoided in protected areas. In fact, carrying one is an offence in such areas. Maintain the ethos and sanctity of the place that you visit.
Light a fire only when it is absolutely necessary. Make sure the fire is extinguished completely when you leave the place. Never leave any fire unattended. It can lead to severe disaster.
Carry all your trash back with you. Never leave back things which are not organic in nature. Municipalities are active only in cities and towns, but NOT in forest areas. We have to own this responsibility.
Dig a cat hole for human waste and cover it by mud or rocks. Do not urinate or defecate near or in any cave, water source, monument, religious place, trails, fort steps or water tanks.
Do not deface or damage caves, fort walls and other historical monuments. Graffiti is permanent form of environmental pollution.
Take away nothing but memories and photos, leave behind nothing but footprints.
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Chakram Hikers, Mulund. All rights reserved.
