A community-level clean-up campaign has been launched to keep the Annapurna Conservation Area, a renowned trekking destination, free of litter. The campaign, led by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), focuses on cleaning up trekking routes and tourist sites within the region.
As part of this initiative, glass and plastic bottles are now banned from being taken to the Annapurna Base Camp. “We have also requested tourists not to bring glass and plastic items to Mardi Himal, Tara Hilltop, and other areas, and to carry out any waste they produce,” said Dr. Rabiin Kadariya, the head of ACAP. “The collected waste from the trails and surrounding villages is being sorted and managed with the help of local hotel management committees, women’s groups, and clubs.”
The waste collected through this campaign is planned to be processed in Pokhara. Tourists visiting the Annapurna region are being encouraged to bring reusable materials as much as possible. Local governments within the ACAP region have also prioritized this clean-up initiative. In Mustang’s Gharpajhong Rural Municipality, for example, plastic bags have been banned. ACAP has begun providing tourists with ‘Metacards,’ which contain messages related to waste management. Clean-up campaigns have also started in culturally significant villages like Ghandruk, Sikles, and Dhampus.
The Annapurna Conservation Area spans 7,600 square kilometers and includes 89 wards across 16 local levels in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi, and Mustang districts. Known for its natural beauty, biodiversity, and unique Himalayan culture, the area has become a favorite among both domestic and international tourists. The peak trekking seasons in this region are during Ashwin-Kartik (October-November) and Chaitra-Baishakh (March-April).
Key tourist destinations within the Annapurna region include Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath, and Ghorepani in Myagdi. Additionally, villages like Khumai Danda, Kori, Sikles, Dhampus, Tangting, and Lwang in Kaski are popular trekking spots. According to trekking guide Diwas Gurung, the Annapurna region offers short, medium, and long-distance treks from various entry points in Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, and Myagdi.
In the last fiscal year, the Annapurna region attracted 222,180 foreign tourists, including 117,845 from Asian countries and 104,256 from other parts of the world. Four years ago, the international travel site Lonely Planet included the Annapurna Circuit among the top ten must-visit destinations globally.
