Are you ready for the 2016 phenomenon?

First off, I would like to thanks all my readers for their continued support and feedback, I had no idea I could get the ball rolling so soon and get so far. And as the year 2015 comes to a close, I would like to reflect on some of the stories that caught my attention and yours. I promise to give you better stories next year and keep in touch.

LADAKH
2015 saw a record number of visitors to the region who left a trail of plastic and rubbish behind, despite knowing that there is no one to clean up after them. Our little initiative to encourage travellers to be more responsible is close to my heart and was well-received by you as well. http://ekalpaviram.blogspot.in/2015/10/why-i-chose-not-to-go-to-ladakh.html

IMAGE COURTESY: BRETT COLE

SHAHPUR JAT
The few remaining graffiti works left in Delhi urban village, Shahpur Jat, are fast fading. It is not just the loss of art and soeone's hard work that I rue. I see the lack of empathy on the part of the residents of the village who do not value the art. They are proo that art does not, in fact, affect everyone.
http://ekalpaviram.blogspot.in/2015/08/now-you-see-me.html

RAKHIGARHI
One of the most memorable adventures of the year that I have shared with you was the journey to Haryana. It was my maiden trip to the infamous state. I returned humbled, not only by the people but also having stood at the site of the largest Harappan site in the world. Ongoing expeditions will reveal the true extent of the heritage hidden in the folds of this hamlet.
http://ekalpaviram.blogspot.in/2015/09/i-drove-down-nh10-and-this-is-what-i.html

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK
One of my biggst disappointments of the year, was the realisation that we have failed the Royal Bengal Tiger. While the government keeps announcing new buffer zones around the National Park, loud and irresponsible tourists have been scaring the animals away from their natural habitat. Not to forget instances of poaching and illegal felling of trees.
http://ekalpaviram.blogspot.in/2015/07/the-missing-king.html

BHANGARH
My effort at looking beyond the myths that surround the fort came as the blogpost which was read by many friends and made for great conversations as well. Instead of looking for ghosts, it might be a batter idea to look into the history that fort holds within. The fear you carry with you is all that will keep you scared.
http://ekalpaviram.blogspot.in/2015/12/bhangarh-beyond-curse.html

Looking forward to keeping you engaged through 2016 as well! Happy responsible travels!!

Why I chose not to go to Ladakh...

More than 100 of the 400-odd friends on my social network profile visited the Leh-Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir this year alone. Be it attractive pricing (still very expensive) or something high on everyone's to-do list this year, the region witnessed that largest number of visitors in 2015. Along with the tourism boom, came cab wars, new dhabas and... plastic. Lots and lots of plastic waste left behind by visitors too busy clicking pictures and selfies in the pristine landscape than noticing the damage they leave behind.

Image by Eric Lon via Flickr

It is wonderful that tourism is thriving in Ladakh have we stopped to wonder at what cost? In an earlier interview with Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna said he had a tough time trying to locate a household that would serve him local food. "Whenever I asked the people what food I could have around in Ladakh, they would serve me butter chicken! For the people of Ladakh who live off tourism for better part of the year, the needs of the tourists defines them. Since the tourists demand butter chicken, they make butter chicken. I mean, who wants to have butter chicken in Ladakh? Why can't people sample the wheat nuggets in vegetable broth made in local homes there?"

Image by Plastic is rubbish via Flickr

The people of Ladakh are fading away. Fellow travellers who had visited the region much before the tourist influx began, share experiences that actually altered their lives. The warm and kind people took travellers into their homes offering them food and consolation against the harsh terrain outside. Ladakh is truly magical and we have a responsibility to protect it. This blogpost is an effort to make the travellers and the government realise that there is an urgent need to regulate the number of travellers to the region in a manner not to affect the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh. Also, to highlight the need to clean up after oneself. It is shameful that we, as travellers, often do not pay any heed to our responsibility towards the destinations we visit. International agencies have been sending volunteers for years, to help clean up Ladakh but Indians have failed, quite largely, in contributing to the effort.

Image by Brett Cole

As travellers, we need to let go of the show-off attitude. Just because we have the money doesn't mean that we grab whatever we can. What do we leave behind for the next generations? Nature nurtures us, we can... in the least... be respectful. To emphasise what I said at the start, I did not choose to go to Ladakh, I decided to share this thought with you and pray for better sense to prevail.