Tourism is one of the main culprits for the environmental challenges faced in Upper Dharamsala.

As a tourist, there is lots to do to improve, or at least not worsen, local environmental conditions. Here are some suggestions:

• Minimize your consumption of non-biodegradable goods, particularly plastics
• Refill water bottles with boiled and filtered water, available at the Green Shop and other locations like cafes and restaurants.
  
• Prefer locally produced goods and food to goods brought in from other regions
• Separate recyclable & non-recyclable waste for separate collection
• Help making other people aware of environmental issues; involve hotel and restaurant managers and shopkeepers into discussions on environment; ask about how they deal with their waste
• Minimize your consumption of hazardous waste like batteries. Bring them to the Green Shop if you do need to dispose of them
• Be conscious of your electricity and water consumption. During dry season, water scarcity is a major problem, particularly further downhill