June 29,2018:Expressing concerns over degradation of Himalayan region's fragile ecology, prominent environmentalist Mushtaq Pahalgami demanded that the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage be undertaken in accordance with the standards set in the environmental policy of the state.
The state government and shrine board should take care of the fragile environment in the Amarnath Cave and its surroundings from pahalgam to holy cave and holy cave to sonamarg , he said. "Just like the principles of conservation of environment and administrative facilitation in the Gangotri pilgrimage and the larger conservation plans for the Ganga River are applied to the pilgrimage, we expect the state government to apply the similar standards in Amarnath yatra", said pahalgami.
He asked the government to get a group of environmental experts study the impact of the unregulated pilgrim rush on the ecology of the Amarnath area and recommend measures to be taken to regulate the same keeping in view the environmental concerns of the people.
"I appeal the environmentalists to come forward to suggest how to address their concerns. The collection and the disposal of solid waste during yatra period is a problem area which needs to be focused on." he added.
"The environmental experts should suggest measures for the protection and conservation of fragile environment in the Himalayan region in the upcoming yatra set to begin on June 28", he said, also raising concerns about open defecation in jungles by BSF men in compartment 35 LDR, expressing hope that shrine board and the state govt. will do the needful to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene in the yatra period this time.
Mushtaq Pahalgami,
Himalayan Welfare Organization-HWO
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