Dehradun: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has started assessing the carrying capacity of four shrines- Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Hemkund Sahib. The four shrines have been witnessing a growing number of pilgrims in the recent past.
While Chardham Yatra- 2023 saw the arrival of around 56 lakh pilgrims in the four shrines, this year the state received 48 lakh pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra.
The NGT has ordered for the assessment of the four shrines’ carrying capacity
The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has sought a report from the WII regarding the carrying capacity of the four shrines. The member-secretary of the PCB Parag Madhukar Dhakate said the WII has started making assessments of the carrying capacity of the four shrines. He said the NGT has given orders for the assessment of the carrying capacity of the four shrines.
WII will study various points
During the assessment of the four shrines’ carrying capacity, the WII is studying various points, including the shrines’ capacity for the stay of pilgrims, availability of medical facilities, disposal of waste, number of mules & horses and their management.
Pressure on the available arrangement at the shrines due to arrival of pilgrims in a high number
In the beginning of the Yatra, the arrangements at the shrines remain under pressure in view of the arrival of a high number of pilgrims there. The WII team will also focus on the increase and decrease in the pressure during three different stages of the Char Dham yatra- the beginning, the rainy season, and the last stage.
Waste disposal, treatment of sewage, number of mules and horses are included in the study of WII
The WII has also identified three sites where the pilgrims use mules or horses during the yatra, or they go by foot. Besides, the Gangotri shrine, where vehicles directly reach, has been included.
The WII has included several points in its study, including carrying capacity, waste disposal, treatment of sewage, arrangement for vehicle parking, and the number of mules.
