M Aamir Khan
Srinagar: A couple from Madhya Pradesh trekked 3200 km from Manali to Kashmir to spread awareness on environmental issues.
Paridhi and Nikhil finally reached Lal Chowk on Tuesday evening,
“We started our journey from Manali and we trekked for around 3200 km to reach Lal Chowk. It was mostly a high-altitude trek through Ladakh. From Ladakh too, we came to Lal Chowk on foot. We wanted to give a message to raise awareness of the ecology and the need to preserve it. Nowadays there is a lot of tourist inflow and therefore we need to be more careful regarding the environment. We also want to give a message against the use of polythene that is causing a lot of damage to the environment,” Paridhi told The Kashmir Monitor after reaching Lal Chowk.
She said though they had gone for shorter distance treks in the past, they underwent rigorous training to prepare for the present Manali to Lal Chowk journey.
“On average, we trekked at an altitude of 12000 to 14000 feet. As far as our training is concerned, it was a combination of rigorous core workout, climbing 100 floors with 18 kgs of the backpack, walking 30 km, Yoga, and necessary breath work,” she said.
Though the couple started their trek in July last year, they took a winter break in between.
“We started the trek on July 22 last year but then we took a break in winters in Ladakh from November to April. We trekked approximately for nine months, July end to October end, 2021 and then from April till today, to complete the distance of 3200 km,” she said.
Paridhi said it was ‘hard to explain’ the experience of the trek.
“It’s hard to explain in words what we have experienced, felt, touched, and witnessed in this walking expedition. What started with a simple lightbulb moment has become a part of us now. We started this journey because we also wanted to explore Ladakh slowly and now this journey has brought along many different perspectives that we might have been oblivious towards. With adventures, wildlife, the kindness of locals, and magnanimous mountains, the journey has brought us immense experiences and life learnings,” she said.
