Dehradun: The state’s hill district Rudraprayag was honoured with the prestigious Skoch award for eco-friendly and safe Kedarnath Yatra- 2024. Apart from Badrinath, Kedarnath shrine is in the Rudraprayag district.
Before the beginning of Char Dham Yatra last year, Rudrapprayag district magistrate Dr Saurabh Gaharwar had given special focus to ensure eco-friendly and clean yatra in view of the tough yatra route and increasing number of devotees. The district administration had appointed Dr Akhilesh Mishra as a nodal officer for the arrangements of cleanliness and sanitation. Accompanied by deputy collector (Ukhimath) Anil Shukla, Mishra received the Skoch award at a function in New Delhi.
Yatra route divided into sectors
The district administration had divided the Yatra route in different sectors in the year 2024 and deployed one sector magistrate and one assistant sector magistrate in each sector to monitor the cleanliness and sanitation arrangements 24×7. The sector magistrates and assistant sector magistrates played their role well in this campaign of Rudraprayag district.
Coordination with different agencies and local bodies
The nodal officer Akhilesh Mishra had worked out an integrated plan by coordinating with Sulabh International, Zila Panchayat, all municipalities and Nagar Panchayat, Gram Panchayat on Yatra route for the success of this campaign. The Skoch award, bagged by the Rudraprayag district, is the result of the effective implementation of the plan.
Proper management of solid wastes, organic wastes, and horse dung
A total 471 permanent toilets, 16 mobile toilets, and 720 “Paryavaran Mitra” from all agencies on Shirobagad-Kedar Dham route had made this campaign a success in the year 2024. A total 1652075 devotees had arrived in Kedarnath Dham in the year 2024. During the Yatra, the administration properly managed the collection of about 18 tonnes solid wastes, more than 100 tones organic wastes, about 180 horse dung. 139828 empty water bottles, which were collected from the devotees, were disposed of.
DM appeals devotees to avoid using plastic this year
Congratulating the team, engaged in this mission for eco-friendly and safe Kedarnath Yatra, for bagging the ward, Rudraprayag district magistrate Dr Gaharwar , he appealed people to avoid using plastic during the upcoming Char Dham Yatra.
