:: ECO PLEDGE ::

Holiday Moods Adventures Pvt Ltd is firmly committed to preserving our fragile environment. All tours follow a strict eco-code that involves everyone, starting from the office, to our clients, the adventure staff on field and the local community.

To that effect we are proud to present the following paper compiled by us, for you to read and pass on. The paper contains excerpts from the best eco tourism practices around the world.

WE PLEDGE TO ...

be a partner in conducting responsible and sustainable tourism with minimal impact on the physical, cultural and social environment of the area.

Moving towards the task outlined in the above pledge we have to conserve and protect our environment on all fronts. In the following pages we have endeavoured to extensively outline industry specific guidelines. These measures have to be adopted sooner or later by the tourism industry in a positive and pro active collaboration with the Indian Government.

Why conserve?
We all want to survive. To do that we all depend on the earth's resources for our basic needs. If resources are no longer available, then we are not only threatening our own existence but also that of future generations and the wildlife with which we share this planet. Unfortunately humans have not been looking after the earth's resources carefully enough; instead we have been using them without consideration for the environment or future needs. We are in danger of destroying the natural systems that are providing those significant resources. The time has come when we have got to look at changes in lifestyles because, not only are we gambling with our own survival, but also that of all the other' species on earth.

How can we conserve?
This can only be achieved by living sustainably. Sustainability is a key word for the 1990s and for many people this will mean a significant change in both attitude and actions. Everyone must understand the effects that their activities are having on other individuals, other communities, other nations, future generations and other species. The internationally recognised text, Caring for the Earth states that "sustainability is an ethic based on care for each other and the Earth." Development should not be at the expense of other communities or later generations, nor threaten the survival of other species. The benefits and costs of resource use and environmental conservation should be shared among people who are poor and those who are rich, and between our generation and those who will come after us.

TREAD SOFTLY
The Indian Outdoors are a fragile environment. They are also becoming increasingly popular with people who are learning to appreciate the natural values and the recreation opportunities available. The increasing numbers of visitors is having an effect on the areas natural and cultural heritage. Mushrooming construction, expanding campsites, bacteria in creeks and rivers, erosion, deterioration of walking tracks(some are even being turned in to motorable roads) and the destruction of local architecture, giving way to ugly, modern structures, have all become more common in recent years.

Fortunately some visitors and companies have adopted the ethic of minimal impact recreation. We can minimise the damage to the natural environment by learning to tread softly and this reduces the need to place restrictions on visitors. Without it we run the very real danger of "loving our natural areas to death". By learning to tread softly, we can minimise the damage to the natural environment. Reduce the need for track and campsite closures, or even worse have them turn into built up resorts, and tarred roads.

We have compiled a series of codes covering a range of adventure and recreation activities. The codes contain common sense information to protect the natural and cultural environment and encourage safety.