Journalist Pledges Slow, Sustainable Travel in 2026

Standing in the fog-wrapped mountains of McLeodganj, Nishtha Kawrani had a realization that would change how she travels forever. Even while breathing in the crisp Himalayan air, her mind was racing through itineraries, trending cafés, and photo spots instead of simply being present.

Over recent years, Kawrani's travel had shifted from discovery to checklist tourism. She optimized routes, ticked off must-see spots, and chased Instagram-worthy moments without absorbing the places she visited. After that mountain morning, something clicked.

For 2026, the journalist is committing to slow travel as part of The Better India's personal goals series. She plans to walk through neighborhoods instead of rushing past them, use public transport and bicycles instead of private cars, and engage with local communities rather than just collecting souvenirs.

Her goal includes inspiring 20 people to try sustainable travel through Instagram posts, videos, and poetry. She wants to show that slowing down doesn't make travel less exciting—it makes it more meaningful.

Kawrani acknowledges this won't be easy for someone who loves planning every detail. She worries about missing things or feeling unprepared when she lets go of control. But she's starting with her next trip in late January, planning to seek out local communities, taste regional cuisine with stories behind it, and leave a smaller carbon footprint.

The Ripple Effect

Kawrani's shift reflects a bigger challenge facing India's tourism boom. Budget flights and viral itineraries have made travel more accessible than ever, but hill towns now struggle with traffic and overtourism. The real stories of communities who sustain these destinations often get drowned out by the rush to capture the perfect photo.

Walking and cycling, once natural ways to move through places, now feel inconvenient in a culture that measures trip success by how much ground you cover. Kawrani doesn't even remember the last time she cycled out for food, though she loved riding her bike to buy chocolate as a child.

Choosing to walk, spend locally, and engage genuinely with communities responds to overtourism, climate stress, and cultural erasure. It's about experiencing destinations sustainably rather than consuming them quickly.

Travel is a privilege, and Kawrani believes how we exercise it matters for both ourselves and the places we visit.