Trekking with a Purpose: Cleanliness Drive at Torna Peak Inspires Youngsters
Trekking with a Purpose: Cleanliness Drive at Torna Peak Inspires Youngsters
A vision for a cleaner Mother Earth and a cleaner India must begin with the next generation. This was the inspiration behind a unique event held on Gandhi Jayanti, 2 October 2024, when 30 trekkers, ranging from ages 6 to 50, gathered for a cleanliness drive at Torna Peak, Pune’s highest summit, also known as “Prachandgad.” The event aimed to promote not only physical health through trekking but also raise awareness about environmental cleanliness, especially among children.
Rahul Malewar, the event organizer, an avid trekker who recently completed the Everest Base Camp trek with his young children, created a group called “Young Guns Trekkers” to encourage families and children to participate in such activities. This was their first trek, and the turnout exceeded expectations, with 30 people joining the initiative.
The group collected 15 kg of plastic waste from the mountain, with kids enthusiastically leading the cleanup efforts. Rahul expressed his joy, saying, “It was heartwarming to see children so eager to keep the environment clean. This small effort has planted a seed of environmental responsibility in them.”
Buoyed by the event’s success, Rahul and his group plan to organize similar treks every weekend, promoting both physical fitness and environmental care.
