Most visitors know Shivapuri National Park for its hiking trails and its sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley. Fewer know that the forest is quietly working for the city below. As rainwater filters through its hillsides, it replenishes the rivers, springs, and groundwater sources that many local communities depend on every day.
Shivapuri is one of the valley’s most important watersheds, making the protection of this landscape a responsibility that extends well beyond the boundaries of the park itself.
For Hotel Shambala, World Environment Day offered an opportunity to contribute to this shared responsibility through a small but meaningful clean-up initiative.
Walking for a Cleaner Shivapuri
Starting from the lower trails of Shivapuri National Park, the Hotel Shambala team joined the National Park Conservation Team and the Nepal Army for a clean-up initiative aimed at protecting the forest and the waterways that eventually flow into the Bishnumati River.
Before setting off, we were briefed on the route and the areas that required attention. While the National Park Conservation Team has done an admirable job maintaining the cleanliness of the trails, traces of litter could still be found along the route—sometimes scattered among the vegetation, other times hidden in places that could easily be missed by a passing eye.
Armed with gloves and garbage bags, we searched as far as our eyes could see and our hands could reach. As we moved higher along the trails towards the source area of the Bishnumati River, the bags gradually filled one by one. What began as a clean-up activity soon became a reminder of how closely connected our everyday lives are to the natural spaces around us. Even small actions, when taken collectively, can contribute to something meaningful.
The hike itself was rewarding in unexpected ways. For some members of our team, spending hours on forest trails was quite different from their daily routines. Not everyone was accustomed to long walks or physically demanding outdoor activities. Yet surrounded by towering trees, flowing water, and fresh mountain air, the journey felt less exhausting than anticipated.
Instead of feeling tired, many of us found ourselves feeling refreshed and energised throughout the day. By the time we reached the upper sections of the trail and made our way back down, it became clear that the initiative was about more than collecting waste. IIn many ways, the clean-up became an excuse to spend time with nature, to step away from our usual routines, and to appreciate the environment that quietly supports our communities every day.
In many ways, the clean-up became an excuse to spend time with nature—and perhaps that is not a bad thing at all.
Nature continues to give without asking for anything in return. The least we can do is care for it whenever we have the opportunity.
As we reflect on this year’s World Environment Day, we hope more individuals and organisations will take small steps towards protecting the places we all share. Whether it is carrying your waste back with you, participating in a local clean-up, or simply being mindful of your surroundings, every action matters.
Together, through small and consistent actions, we can help ensure that our valleys, forests, rivers, and communities remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.
Our Commitment in Action
We show up.
Supporting environmental and community initiatives beyond our hotel walls.
We leave a positive impact.
Through conservation efforts, responsible practices, and local partnerships.
We improve continuously.
Seeking new ways to reduce our environmental footprint and operate responsibly.
We give back every year.
Marking World Environment Day through hands-on initiatives that support our local communities and environment.
About Sustainability at Hotel ShambalaWe show up.
Hotel Shambala is a Travelife Gold Certified hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal, committed to responsible hospitality, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable tourism practices. Through annual environmental initiatives and continuous operational improvements, we strive to create meaningful experiences for our guests while contributing positively to the communities and environments that surround us.
To see where our journey took us last year, read about our World Environment Day initiative at Bhadrakali Temple in Budhanilkantha.
