Introduction
As a destination management company engaging with consumers, tour guides, travel agencies, hotels, transport companies, restaurants, and attractions, Dharma Adventures understands our key role and influence in the sustainable development of tourism. We are committed to promoting sustainability across our operations and supply chain. We aim to follow, implement, and promote good practices that maximize positive impacts and minimize negative impacts, and we strive to influence our clients and partners to do the same.
Our sustainability policy is organized into 10 themes. Each theme includes principles and practical actions.
1. Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance
We commit to responsible management through:
- Appointing a Sustainability Coordinator within the senior management.
- Maintaining a sustainability mission statement published on our website and shared with clients and partners.
- Upholding a written sustainability policy addressing environmental, cultural, social, and economic impacts, and employee health and safety.
- Developing a sustainability action plan with measurable goals, responsibilities, and timelines.
- Publishing a sustainability report every two years.
- Protecting children’s rights by embedding a zero-tolerance policy against exploitation in our contracts and operations.
- Making sure all staff understand this policy and are committed to continuous improvement.
- Complying with all relevant laws, regulations, and codes of practice.
2. Internal Management: Social Policy & Human Rights
We value fairness, equality, and employee wellbeing. Our commitments include:
- Respecting freedom of employment and contract termination with fair notice.
- Paying wages at or above legal minimums, compensating for overtime per agreement.
- Providing medical and liability insurance, annual leave, and sick leave as per national law.
- Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces, with first aid kits and trained staff.
- Respecting the legal minimum working age and preventing child labor.
- Having documented procedures for staff complaints and expectations.
- Providing regular health and safety training.
- Protecting human rights: no discrimination in hiring, pay, or promotions; freedom of association and union membership; and equal opportunities regardless of gender, race, age, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Respecting traditions and customs.
3. Internal Management: Environment & Community Relations
We strive for a green office culture and positive community impact.
Procurement
- Minimize single-use goods.
- Prioritize sustainable, local, and certified products.
- Use recycled/FSC-certified paper and default to double-sided printing.
- Prioritize bulk purchasing when feasible.
Energy
- Measure, monitor, and reduce energy use.
- Switch off lights/equipment when not in use.
- Prefer energy-efficient devices and green energy where available.
Water
- Monitor consumption and reduce usage.
- Installing water-saving devices and re-using greywater/rainwater where feasible.
- Track leaks through regular meter checks.
- Encouraging the staff to bring their own water bottles that can be refilled at the water station.
Waste Management
- Comply with national waste laws.
- Prioritizing digital documentation.
- Implement waste reduction and recycling policy.
- Reduce non-refillable plastic bottles in the office.
- Recycle batteries and e-waste responsibly.
- Waste segregation
Mobility & Awareness
- Maintain vehicles regularly to lower emissions.
- Provide staff with periodic sustainability training.
Land Use & Buildings
- Follow zoning/protected area regulations.
- Educating guests about cultural etiquette.
- Use local, sustainable materials in construction or renovation.
4. Transport
Transport plays a key role in sustainability. We commit to:
- Prioritizing sustainable transport options when practical.
- Encouraging safe and eco-friendly driving practices.
- Ensuring vehicles meet legal emission standards and are regularly maintained.
5. Accommodation
We partner with accommodations that uphold strong environmental, social, and cultural responsibility. Our selection is guided by the following:
- Preference for certified or committed hotels (Travelife/GSTC or actively pursuing certification).
- Environmental practices include water and energy savings, waste management, biodiversity protection, and eco-friendly housekeeping.
- Fair labour and child protection – all contracts include a zero-tolerance child protection clause.
- Support local ownership and community-based accommodation where possible.
- Cultural preservation through local art, traditional design, and authentic, locally crafted products.
- Sustainability monitoring through our partner self-assessment and the DA Sustainability Expectations for Accommodation Partners.
- Zero-tolerance for harmful practices, including biodiversity damage or actions that restrict community access to essential services.
6. Excursions & Activities
We believe excursions should leave no footprint and respect both nature and culture.
- Provide guests with codes of conduct for respectful behavior.
- Avoid disrupting local life or customs during visits.
- Encourage our excursion providers to uphold our sustainability standards.
- Avoid activities harmful to wildlife, communities, or ecosystems.
- Do not support captive wildlife tourism.
- Reject any trade or promotion of endangered species or illegal artifacts.
7. Tour Leaders, Local Representatives & Guides
Our people are our strength, and we prioritize local involvement.
- Hire and train local guides, drivers, porters, and cooks as much as possible.
- Ensure fair contracts, clear terms of employment, and payment of living wages.
- Provide proper clothing, equipment, and safety standards for trekking staff.
- Train guides regularly in sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and guest care.
- Require guides to share sustainability awareness with guests.
- Train all staff on child protection and zero tolerance for exploitation.
- Encourage responsible photography and respectful interactions with local people, customs, and sacred sites.
8. Destination Responsibility
We aim to make tourism a force for good in every destination.
- Carefully assess sustainability impacts before developing new destinations.
- Promote lesser-known, offbeat destinations to reduce overcrowding.
- Comply with land-use, heritage, and protected area regulations.
- Discourage illegal souvenir trade, including items from endangered species or artifacts.
9. Customer Communication & Protection
We keep our guests informed, safe, and inspired.
Before Booking
- Provide accurate, transparent pricing and product information.
- Communicate sustainability commitments clearly.
- Respect customer privacy and data protection.
- Offer sustainability activities in the itinerary.
During Travel
- Share cultural and environmental guidelines to promote responsible travel.
- Provide emergency contacts and train staff for crisis situations.
- Educate travelers on local customs, health, and safety.
- Encourage support for local businesses, restaurants, and artisans.
- Promote sustainable transport options.
After Travel
- Collect client feedback and use it for improvements.
- Handle complaints transparently and fairly.
10. Governance & Review
- This policy is approved by Senior Management and led by the Sustainability Coordinator.
- It is shared with all staff and partners and made publicly available.
- Monitoring and evaluation follow the procedures in Theme 1 – Sustainability Management & Legal Compliance.
- The policy is reviewed at least every two years or after significant operational changes.
For Dharma Adventures, sustainability is a shared responsibility. By living these commitments, we protect the Himalayas, respect communities, and help travelers become partners in positive change.
