With 56 lakh of pilgrims visiting annually, the surge in plastic waste places immense pressure on the limited, temporary infrastructure in an ecologically sensitive region. Managing waste during the Char Dham Yatra was challenging due to the high-altitude terrain, steep trekking routes, and limited access, with most locations reachable only on foot or by mule.
With 56 lakh of pilgrims visiting annually, the surge in plastic waste places immense pressure on the limited, temporary infrastructure in an ecologically sensitive region. Managing waste during the Char Dham Yatra was challenging due to the high-altitude terrain, steep trekking routes, and limited access, with most locations reachable only on foot or by mule.
More than 17 lakh bottles and MLPs were collected, recycling rates improved sharply, and improper disposal dropped by over 20%. At Char Dham, dDRS transformed waste management across one of India’s most challenging pilgrimage routes.
With tech-led nudges like QR-based deposits, shifted behaviour at scale. Pilgrims responded positively to simple incentives, while retailers and local workers actively participated. What started as initative gradually became a habit, hinting at what responsible behavioural change can look like in…
