1. Safety Guidelines
Section 11
Principles of ‘Leave No Trace’ (LNT) for Outdoor Ethics
1.0
The Organization shall induct LNT principles into its organisational culture through consistent
implementation of relevant practices and reviews.
2.0
Guidelines
2.1
Background
The “Leave No Trace” name and program first appeared within the United State Forest Service (USFS)
in Utah in an attempt to deal with visitor impact to the Uinta Mountains. Along with several others
from primarily USFS and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) who are experts in the field of
Outdoor Education agreed to the initial draft of “Principles of Leave No Trace” in 1987. Further the
Leave No Trace was incorporated in Colorado which was supported by “Sporting Goods
Manufacturers Association’’ (SGMA) and “Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America’’ (ORCA). In
2002 the Leave No Trace Inc. changed its name to “The Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics”
to better reflect the organization’s broader scope.
Wilderness Ethics is to enjoy wildland without harming or impacting them. Millions of outdoor
enthusiasts have shared the dream of sustainable outdoor recreation.
The outdoors fraternity and Wildland Recreation Community all over the world full heartedly
embraced the “LNT Principles” and supported imbibing and implementing them in the outdoors. LNT
are the principles and we need to derive appropriate practices to be effective for a particular
environment, especially in the Indian context, natural and socio-cultural aspects.
To learn more and be effective implementers of the LNT principles, the LNT Master Educator, Trainer
and Outreach Program can be completed to achieve the relevant certifications. It is strongly
recommended to implement the LNT principles while conducting
Trekking, Mountaineering and
other land based adventure and nature activities organized in Maharashtra and carried out all over.
2.2
Principles of Leave No Trace
2.2.1 Plan and Prepare
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Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
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Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
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Visit in small groups. Split lager parties into groups of 4-6.
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Repackage food to minimise waste.
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2.2.2
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Use map and compass to eliminate the use of rock cairns, flagging or marking points.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
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2. Safety Guidelines
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Durable surfaces include established trails and camp sites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
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Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet / 60 meter away from lakes, streams.
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Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas
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Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
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Walk single file in middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
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Keep camp site small. Focus activities in the areas where the vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas
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2.2.3
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
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Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all
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Deposit Solid Human waste in cat-holes dug 6 to 8 inches / 15 to 20 cm deep at least 200 feet /
trash, leftover food and litter.
60 meters from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cat-hole when finished.
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Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
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To wash yourself or dishes, carry water 200 feet / 60 meter away from streams or lakes and use
small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
2.2.4
Leave what you find
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Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
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Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
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2.2.5
Preserve the past: observe, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artefacts.
Do not build structures, furniture or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
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Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use light weight stove for cooking
and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
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Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
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2.2.6
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans or mound fires.
Burn all wood and coal to ash, put out campfires completely and then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife
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Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
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Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviours and
exposes them to predators and other dangers.
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Control pets at all times or leave them at home.
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2.2.7
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times, mating, nesting, raising young or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
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3. Safety Guidelines
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Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
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Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
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Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
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3.0
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Let nature’s sound prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
Records for Verification
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Review records
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Records of Personal Feedback
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