Himachal’s first zero waste tribal festival in Keylong to set new benchmark for sustainable celebrations
Local women performing in the Pin valley of Spiti, as part of the 80 day long snow fest. Old photo used for indicative purpose only.
Shimla, Aug 13,
In the high-altitude valley of Lahaul-Spiti, where snow peaks meet centuries-old traditions, Keylong is preparing to make history from August 14 to 16, 2025, by hosting Himachal Pradesh’s first Zero Waste Tribal Festival. More than just a cultural showcase, the event is set to become a blueprint for how the Himalayan state can celebrate without leaving behind an environmental scar.
Spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana, the initiative will ban plastic bottles and disposable cups, replace them with biodegradable alternatives and leaf plates, ensure safe drinking water through quality-tested stations, and swap plastic banners for cloth ones. The District Administration has teamed up with ‘Healing Himalayas’ and ‘Sahas’ NGOs to turn the festival into a living lesson on waste management, eco-friendly choices and sustainable community engagement. At the heart of the celebration will be the ‘Heritage Echoes Pavilion’, where the colours, textures and aromas of tribal life will come alive through handloom, handicrafts, traditional cuisine and storytelling — all in collaboration with the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India. Artists from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Himachal will join hands with local performers under the North Zone Cultural Center’s programme, turning Keylong into a melting pot of art and identity. For visitors, the ‘Food Fiesta’ will serve not just tribal delicacies but a taste of mindful consumption.
As Bhadana puts it, Tribal Festival-2025 is more than a cultural calendar entry — it’s a commitment to protect heritage while teaching future generations that celebrations and conservation can walk hand in hand in the Himalayas.
Pertinent to mention that the zero-waste approach also comes at a critical time for Lahaul-Spiti, which has witnessed a surge in tourist footfall after the opening of the Atal Rohtang Tunnel. While the influx has boosted local livelihoods, it has also led to increased waste generation, vehicular pollution and strain on fragile ecosystems. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken note of the environmental challenges, and even the High Court has observed the urgent need for sustainable tourism practices in the region. Against this backdrop, the Keylong Tribal Festival’s eco-conscious model offers a timely example of how development and environmental stewardship can coexist in the Himalayas.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
