By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Assam’s Rupam Gogoi, a 35-year-old cyclist from Merapani in Golaghat district, has been undertaking long-distance cycling expeditions across India and neighbouring countries to spread awareness about environmental conservation, sustainable living and pollution-free transportation.
Travelling mostly alone and with limited financial support, Gogoi has covered thousands of kilometres since beginning his campaign on February 20, 2025. His journeys have taken him through Nepal, Ladakh and most recently Sri Lanka, with another Southeast Asian expedition planned later this year.
What started as a personal initiative has gradually evolved into a wider awareness campaign focused on balancing development with environmental protection and encouraging greater public participation in conservation efforts.
Gogoi’s first major cycling expedition took him from Assam to Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal. He later travelled to Khardung La in Leh-Ladakh, regarded as one of the world’s highest motorable passes.
His latest expedition involved an 82-day ride to Colombo in Sri Lanka, during which he cycled nearly 6,800 kilometres through difficult terrain and changing weather conditions.
According to Gogoi, rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion have led to large-scale destruction of forests in many parts of the country without adequate focus on ecological restoration. While development remains necessary, he believes environmental protection and afforestation efforts must progress simultaneously.
Unlike sponsored adventure expeditions, Gogoi’s travels are mostly self-funded. He said financial support from his family, particularly his mother, has helped him continue the journeys despite recurring economic difficulties.
During the Sri Lanka expedition, he often had to cycle until late evening searching for forested areas where he could camp overnight due to limited accommodation options and budget constraints.
Gogoi, who identifies himself as an admirer of late Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, said his environmental initiatives intensified further following the singer’s death. Since then, he has participated in plantation drives and distributed Nahor saplings as part of awareness campaigns.
Although he generally begins his journeys alone, Gogoi said he frequently encounters people who temporarily join him along different stretches of the route after learning about his campaign. He added that several environmental awareness initiatives conducted through cycling and marathon events across the country had inspired his own efforts.
The Golaghat cyclist is now preparing for another international expedition scheduled for July covering Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
Through the upcoming journey, he hopes to further promote cycling as an environmentally sustainable mode of transport while continuing conversations around climate responsibility and conservation.
He has also appealed to the Assam government for institutional support, stating that greater assistance could help expand grassroots environmental campaigns and encourage more young people to participate in conservation initiatives.
Back home in Merapani, Gogoi’s family says the journeys remain both a matter of pride and concern. His mother expressed happiness over his safe return after the Sri Lanka expedition and appealed for government support to help him continue his environmental awareness campaign.