Some time ago, my friend and colleague of long standing – Payson Stevens – suggested that I consider a trek in the GHNP (Great Himalayan National Park). Having been an assistant administrator in a U.S. government agency with direct responsibility for marine protected areas, I was curious about Indian national parks. And never having visited this part of India, I was easily convinced.

Our trek in March 2003 lasted about a week and involved people from GHNP, SHA (Sunshine Himalayan Adventures), and SAHARA (Scientific Advancement of Hills And Rural Areas).

My impressions? I have never seen a more beautiful, pristine setting than the GHNP sitting there on the flank of the Himalayas. We saw no signs of others - especially no trash - during our trek; it was an absolutely unspoiled environment. And the food? I initially thought that a vegetarian diet would be pretty monotonous, but it was varied and outstanding.

What was really impressive was the loving care these people showed the Park. Their approach to conservation and sustainability – working with individual villages on a shoe-string budget – is something from which we can all learn. And it is something to which we should all contribute.

If you want to get away from it all, experience nature at its finest, and be in the hands of friendly, caring, eager-to-please people, this is the place to go and the people to be with.

-- Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2003

Arnold Lippin, biochemist

I had the good fortune to be on the “maiden” treks with the SAHARA group and they will remain among my peak life experiences. It was an opportunity to enter another world, from the simple villages encountered on the way into the park to the beauty of the total wilderness of the park proper. Rivers, waterfalls, forests, above the tree-line shrubby vegetation and vistas of snowcapped mountains as far as the eye can see were all part of the treks’ visual feast. On top of all this the food was great and the trek assistants were a congenial lot with a wonderful moral and spirit that infused the experience with good feeling and good cheer. This was their home and they shared their intimate knowledge of the terrain, flora and fauna. These treks are organized and staffed by SARAHA an indigenously organized womans’ microsavings group directed toward the economic betterment of the local population. The welcoming humanness and warmth of the entire enterprise and experience reflects this origin. To see more expanded descriptions of trek experiences log on to: http://greathimalayannationalpark.com/GHNP_ecotimpres.htm

-- Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2003

Sanjeeva Pandey, Director Great Himalayan National Park
Our stressful life in present times often demand a get-a-way to a place which has low level of habitations, remoteness, inaccessibility, low rate of tourist visitation, and company of such people who do not depend on monstrous machines of the modern society. Personally, I find all these features together at the natural realm of the Great Himalayan National Park. A visit to the Park is a lifetime experience in physical, mental and spiritual well being of my own self. Standing at the Dhel ridge at 3,737-meter altitude, and looking at the panoramic view of the western Himalayan range is my most rewarding experiences in nature appreciation. There are a few things one can do to increase chances of having a rewarding visit - and help preserve the Park as well: get connected to the local people who live on an economy based on traditional undertakings. SAHARA is an organization of local villagers, which facilitates the passage of trekkers through the trails into the Park.The managment of Sunshine Himalayan Adventures is involved in their ground training .Trekking with SAHARA-SHA team is a gainful investment in providing opportunities of employment to the local people and at the same time helps them to improve their livelihood options.

Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India

Rajendar Chauhan , Director SAHARA

SAHARA and Sunshine Himalayan Adventures (SHA) entered into an exclusive agreement to promote income generation activity of the poorest of the poor through ecotourism in the GHNP . SAHARA and SHA have a very fruitful and meaningful working relationship. It’s always been an honor to share common goals and vision with the company who has developed the necessary human resource amongst SAHARA members to generate income through ecotourism. The association has brought a lot of tangible changes in the life and rhythm of SAHARA members helping the conservation of natural elements of the GHNP in our own humble ways. We sincerely hope that through the foresight and experiences of SHA, SAHARA’s ecotourism activities would benefit the region as well as the host population.

GHNP, Kullu Valley (HP) India.