MakeMyTrip Foundation, signs a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) and The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa to launch ‘Ruh-e-Gul’, an initiative focused on waste management and responsible tourism awareness.
One of India’s most treasured Himalayan destinations, Gulmarg draws tourists from across the country every year. Recognizing the pressure on the destination’s ecosystem as footfall continues to grow, the Foundation will work with its partners to strengthen waste infrastructure and support in restoring Gulmarg’s natural character.
On the ground, the initiative will aim at strengthening the operation of waste collection and processing infrastructure, while undertaking cleanup and restoration of identified waste dumping sites. This includes placing community waste bins and collection trolleys at high-footfall locations, along with deploying additional manpower for waste collection across major tourist areas. The initiative will also support the upgradation of infrastructure, including Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and a bio-gas plant, for scientific waste management, and drive the enhancement of public spaces such as roadsides, roundabouts, pathways, and signage across prominent tourist touchpoints. Through sustained awareness and behavioural change campaigns, the project will engage tourists, local businesses, and communities in taking shared responsibility of the destination’s cleanliness.
Yuvaraj Srivastava, Trustee, MakeMyTrip Foundation, and Group CHRO MakeMyTrip, said, “Gulmarg has always held a special place in the hearts of India’s travellers, and protecting that charm requires conscious effort on all our parts. Through this initiative, we aim to contribute towards sustainable waste management infrastructure to help Gulmarg keep pace with its growing tourist footfall. It builds on our earlier waste management work at Dal Lake in Srinagar and several other destinations across the country, reflecting the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to preserving India’s landscapes and communities. We are grateful to Shri Omar Abdullah, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for supporting us in bringing this project to life.”
Tariq Hussain Naik, CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority, said, “Gulmarg draws visitors from across India and the world and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard it. As custodians of this destination, we are committed to ensuring that the infrastructure and systems keep pace with the growing footfall that Gulmarg receives and continue to position it as a global destination. Through this collaboration, we are putting in place what Gulmarg needs to continue to welcome everyone without compromising the natural beauty that makes it so special.”
Umar Khurshid Tramboo, Managing Director, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, said, “The Khyber has always believed that a destination’s health and its hospitality industry’s success are deeply intertwined. Gulmarg is our home and its beauty is its greatest asset, and also its most fragile one. A destination is only as good as the experience it offers, and for us, that experience extends well beyond our property. We remain committed to preserving Gulmarg’s natural environment, so that its charm endures for generations of travellers to come.”
With an estimated 4 MT of waste being generated in Gulmarg daily, ‘Ruh-e-Gul’ marks a significant step toward building the infrastructure needed to manage it sustainably, ensuring that the destination remains as pristine for future generations of travellers.
The Foundation’s ongoing efforts include planting over 28 lakh saplings across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Kashmir, as well as the responsible collection and disposal of 990 metric tons of waste from destinations including Neil Island, Kempty Falls, and Dal Lake.
