…a trek to the Himalayas

That’s my bread and butter,” he relates. ROOTS organises one-week training programmes for school children, between October and February, to encourage environment-sensitivity. But in the summer vacations, other terrains across the Sahyadris are explored.

“ROOTS has conducted tours to Himalayas often but for the last two years, we have been conducting summer tours to the Himalayas in the Garwahl region, whose beauty is unparalleled,” declares Limaye. The most fascinating panorama he remembers seeing is the one at Panwalidhar, in the Garwahl Valley. “It was breath-taking. The entire Garwahl range and the major Himalayan peaks could be seen from there. It is something which will remain in my mind for long. I travel extensively as part of my business in India and abroad, but going on a trek to the Himalayas is a different experience altogether.”

The 30-odd adventurers, who comprise the ROOTS’ trekking team, have not encountered any catastrophe so far. “We take adequate precautions. The right kind of food, clothing, equipment and, of course, spirit goes into making a memorable trek,” says Limaye. “The children and adults are given some outdoor training beforehand, which is not so difficult to grasp,” he assures.

What better way to promote environment education than to enjoy the outdoors and understand nature from close quarters?