The NGO ‘Mountain Cleaners’, created by Jodie, is cleaning up some treks in the area.
Jody is from England and she came to India first time one year ago. She loved the place and it’s people but couldn’t stand the it’s dirtiness. A bit like us, she tried to find an organisation in which to volunteer but since she found nothing she created her own, way to go! Mountain Cleaners started by cleaning up Triund, a famous trek in the area.
After the success of the activities and some recognition from Indian environmental organisations, MC was called by the government of Chamba district to come and ‘clean’ the place during a massive pilgrim.
This pilgrim takes place during September, more than 500.000 people hike the mountains for three days to a holy lake, to take a holy bath! This freezing lake is 4.500m high… Don’t forget that this is India!
None garbage bin or anything similar was set in the area to receive these people. The pilgrim was going to take place in 15 days.
Even though Jody had been working hard on the preparation of materials and required tools, the project sounded really challenging. MC didn’t count on too many resources, some volunteers, some support from the government (not much really) and Jody's courage and good willingness... We decided to join the adventure, together with Matt, our Canadian friend.
We were the first volunteers to join Jodie and Manu, a local guy that supports MC in its activities. So we got on the way to Bharmour, a little village in the mountains, the gateway for the pilgrim to the lake Manimahesh, which is believed to be one of Shiva’s homes.
Jodie / Lore / Martin / Manu
A Jeep from the Forest Department picked us up. The road to this village is beautiful and extreme. Most of the time driving over the cliff in a narrow road where trucks come full speed from the other side, you really feel close to the famous “white light”... But remember, this is India, every time you go to the streets you take your chance...
In Bharmour we stayed at the Himalayan Mountaineers Cottage, where we shared a large room.
The plan was to set up four bases along the trek, where volunteers would gather, spread the RRR (reduce, reuse, recycle) message and where the garbage would be collected and segregated. Jody prepared T-shirts, banners and posters in Hindi to help in the task. Garbage bags would be spread in shops and along the way. Bins would be installed in some strategic places.
The collected garbage would be segregated, recyclables would be sold to a local dealer and non-recyclables disposed in a proper place, NOT IN THE RIVER OR MOUNTAIN!
So first step, set up base 1, Bharmour.
Martin had a plan... (the engineer in him!)
For this base we had recycled Tetrapack sheets, which would be used to build the main stand. After walking the village we identified the perfect spot to set it up.
Then the challenges followed. One, we needed authorization, structure materials and tools to build the stand. Second, banners, posters, bags and t-shirts to show our presence didn’t arrive on time so we couldn’t start spreading the word... So let’s dance.
First the ground had to be prepared
Then the columns...
Toes always keeping us company, and chosing a nice spot!
The guys took care of the shelter and the girls of spreading the word and preparing bags and other materials.
Painting the Garbage Bags
After meeting the police, Forest, Infrastructure and Water departments and even the governor! The guys managed to gather the minimum necessary to build the base.
Raj (Head of the Forest Dept.) / Jodie / Martin
Here it’s important to mention the “superpower” that one runs with as a western while in India. It’s remarkable the respect, welcoming and help that Indians give to their white guests. It feels great to use this extra power for a good cause.
The girls used this power as well. They visited the local schools to talk about RRR and got the help of the kids to paint the bags. Fortunately a key reinforce came, Sameer from Delhi, who helped with the translations and speeches.
School time starts around 10am with some Yoga
All the kids were very enthusiastic about helping the Mountain Cleaners...
Sameer explained about recycling
And some more yoga before going home...
After school hours kids (and grownups too) came to help us with the bags
Day 2 at the schools: briefing about the Mountain Cleaners and how the kids can help us with the cause, great response!
These 3 lovely girls belong to the cast of the "untouchables", the lowest in the cast system, other people were warning me "not to get too close to them", but they were the sweetest girls ever!
Visiting the High School of Bharmour
Another primary school
We asked the governor for bins for the town and this is what we got...
So we had to do some work on them
But everybody helped...
Theo
The final result
So it started happening, the base was being built, the kids were painting the bags and the people were talking about Mountain Cleaners, about this new word ‘RECYCLE’.
After four days the show had a better look. Stephan, Louie and Andy from Austria came to give a good hand, Ana and Theo from Germany to encourage the laughter.r.
Ana
Stephan & Andy finetunning the interior of the base
Some solar energy
Voila, the base was finally finished!
So now a picture for the local newspaper...
Proud Jodie
The girls
The guys
Finally the t-shirts arrived...
MC took care of supplying good food and shelter for volunteers. Lunches, dinners and late conversations were happy times, everytime was happytime!
There was always someone ready to help, someone curious... the banners, t-shirts and posters arrived.
The first team headed to Hudsar to settle second base.
Of course adversities didn’t stop and more help was required, mainly from the government, but Jody didn’t save any word when talking with the press to put some pressure...
Nice spot hairdresser
Some pilgrims were already there so we had to hurry up with setting up Hudsar!
Many wealthy families offer free food and drinks to pilgrims on the way. These lovely family invited us for lunch and offered Jodie some economical support for the Mountain Cleaners
There was still a long way to go but the base was there, our time to move on came and we left with sorrow but knowing that Jody and the volunteers to come would handle the situation.
New friends...
Jodie & Toes
"Shanti" from the chai shop next door
Santosh
Raj, head of the forest department, one of the guys that helped the most!
Most of the shops in town gave us their support
The "chapati" boys! Our favourite place for dinner
This guy came every day to paint garbage bags...
And they did, all the bases were installed and tons of garbage was saved from going to the rivers. Not everything was saved but the first step is done. Mountain Cleaners will be next year in Chamba Valley to give the example once again.
Selling "recyclables"
Change brings change, things happens when you do them. This is a great example to encourage people to go for it, the little you do will be greater when you do it the next time, and your neighbour will follow.
For anyone passing by Daramshala we suggest you to help for a good cause, knock MC doors.
Thanks Mountain Cleaners for such a lesson, thanks Jodie for so much inspiration.
Reduce Reuse Recycle
Some random images...
Baba's = "holy men"; people who resign all their valuables -family, material, house- to devote themselfs to a spiritual life of meditation, yoga and religion
Holy cow!
Check how this guys "stops" the fortune wheel!!!
