Sustainability Practices
How the festival supports the Meyor community
- The festival is Sun-led, community-led, with the Meyor households being a major part of the celebration, guiding and participating.
- Homestays, food stalls, handicraft kiosks, and cultural performances are run by local households, ensuring income stays within the community.
- Festival infrastructure—to be built using local carpenters and craftsmen, using materials sourced responsibly from the region.
- Revenue from ticketing and allied services is shared with local bodies for community development and cultural preservation.
- To help build together a community-led tourism economy and network.
- Through storytelling, village tours, conversations and treks with the community people, tourists and visitors get to live the experience of celebrating the culture and traditions of the Meyor people lovingly known as the Sunrise people .
Zero-Waste Approach (Practical Implementation)
Here, “zero-waste” isn’t just a slogan. It translates into specific systems on ground:
1. Waste Segregation Points
• Multiple, colour-coded waste stations placed across the festival area:
* Green – Compostable/food waste
* Blue – Recyclable waste (paper, metal, glass)
* Red – Non-recyclables
• Volunteers and local youth trained to assist visitors with correct segregation.
2. Minimal Plastic Usage
• Minimise single-use plastics: Preferably use biodegradable cutlery, bamboo bottles, mugs, glasses or reusable metal cutlery offered at food counters.
• Refill stations for drinking water to discourage plastic bottled water sales.
• Vendors sign a minimal-plastic compliance agreement.
3. Reusable & Biodegradable Materials
• Festival installations, seating and décor are made from bamboo, pinewood leftovers, salvaged timber, and other natural materials available.
• Fabric banners replace flex wherever possible.
Local Guides Selection
• Guides are selected from the local youth who have undergone basic training in:
* Trek safety and route knowledge
* Cultural interpretation
* Visitor handling
* Basic first aid
• Preference given to those already involved in community-led tourism initiatives.
• This creates skill-building and long-term livelihood opportunities.
Awareness Activities
• Daily eco-walks led by local volunteers explaining biodiversity, local flora, and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Workshops on sustainable living, bamboo craft, and responsible trekking.
• Community storytelling circles highlighting Meyor culture, beliefs in and around the sunrise, and environmental ethics.
• Information booths on waste segregation, leave-no-trace principles, water and Nature conservation.
How the Festival Benefits the Local Economy
• Increases demand for homestays, community-based lodges and local eateries.
• Creates seasonal but significant income for:
* Women-led SHGs (handicrafts, snacks, beverages)
* Local taxi owners
* Craftspeople
* Porters and trekking assistants
* Artisans and performers
* Local farmers (fresh produce supply)
• Long-term benefit: visibility leads to year-round tourism, not just festival-time footfall.
• Strengthens local supply chains by prioritising local procurement over external vendors.
Safety & Environmental Commitments
• Leave No Trace policy for all trekkers and campers.
• Limited-footfall sunrise trek to prevent trail erosion.
• Fire safety protocols and no open fires without permission.
• Medical team + trained local volunteers stationed overnight.
• Restrictions on loud sound systems near Nature-sensitive zones.
• Respecting the local beliefs and practices
• Strict adherence to forest & community regulations.