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Infrastructural needs and Environmental Impact - I : Shri Amarnath Yatra

By Dr. C. M. Seth
Supreme Court, taking cognizance of the large number of deaths of
pilgrims while on Shri Amarnath Yatra, issued directions to Shri
Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to propose/disclose action plan for
the better management and safety of Yatra during 2013 and
thereafter. Many in the Kashmir valley reacted in parochial and
intolerant manner on the issue. Dr. CM Seth, an Environmentalist
and Field Biologist has expressed his views on the much needed
infrastructural augmentation and its impact on the local
environment.
01. The Holy Cave : Holy Amarnathjee Cave in deep
Himalayas in Kashmir region of the State of Jammu & Kashmir is one
of the holiest destinations of Pilgrimage for Hindus all over the
world. All pray Almighty for an opportunity, weather permitting, to
pay obeisance at holy cave. No doubt some do consider it more
auspicious to visit the Shrine for the Darshan of Ice Lingam. The
number has gone nearly 700,000 in 2012 even with the Yatra period
restricted to around the Rakshabandan (Sharavan Poornima).
Formation of Ice Lingam every year during the winter and thereafter
its melting through Rakshabandan day (in 2012 it stayed even a few
days after that) is a nature's wonder. And to Hindu its Bhagwan
Shiva's blessing. It is Nature's unique creation (since times
immemorial) every year that attracts more and more devotees to the
Cave Shrine particularly during the Rakshavandan days (like more
Yatries visit Vaishno Devi Shrine during Navratras).
02. Yatra routes. : From time to time different
routes were adopted by the Yatris to visit the shrine as per the
requirement, circumstances and convenience of Yatris. Historically
devotees used to visit the holy cave from Pahalgam route upto
Panjtarni, climb up the hill opposite to Amarnath cave and then
descend down to have the darshan of Ice Lingam. From Panjtarni to
Sangam and then to Holy cave stretch was developed much later.
There was another route also from Chandanbari to Sangam and then to
holy cave. From Pahalgam to Holy Cave the distance is about 45 kms
ascending gradually 13500 feet near the holy cave.
Presently Yatris cover this distance in three to four stages ie.
Nunwan, Chandanwari, Pisso top, Seshnag, Panjtarni and Holy cave.
This route gives enough opportunity for acclimatization and rest
also. The other route is Baltal route that has become more popular
recently because of the return from cave being possible in single
day. Distance from Baltal (9000 ft MSL) to Holy cave (13500 Ft) is
12 kms.
There is enough scope and reasons for
working on some other route too for the sake of convenience and
smooth run of the yatra.
03. Carrying Capacity of tracks: Going by the simple convenience
and comfort standards the present safe ( still with a number of
life risking sections ) carrying capacity of each track is not more
than three to five thousand per day i.e for both tracks it is about
six to ten thousand a day. But it is the Astha of the pilgrims that
the comforts do not matter for them and they tread the tracks
taking all discomfort and risks happily. With the numbers further
increasing (more so when the SASB is firm on limiting the Yatra
period) and with the present condition/level/standards of tracks
and boarding facilities continuing, the causalities due to physical
stresses and isolated retrieving infrastructure around are bound to
increase. Records of past three to four years do give clear
indication of increasing number of deaths inspite of
SASB/Government suggesting their having improved the
infrastructural support. Therefore, keeping in view that the Yatra
numbers are going to increase beyond 700,000, in addition to taking
immediate measures for improving the track condition and
infrastructure for stay/health care, at least the period of yatra
should not be less than 100 to 60 days ( Provision can be there for
issuing advisories when the weather is not permitting. In case it
is done nobody would venture under bad weather). Therefore, to
increase the capacity of tracks as well as ensure minimum safe
travel conditions to the yatries, widening of tracks, consolidation
with shingle and sand and at places to make good pony tracks with
prefabricated tiles etc on the pattern of Vaishno Devi tracks is
the minimum and urgent need.
04. Management of tracks at two axis :
4.1 There is a duality of administrative control. Pahalgam to holy
Amarnatth Jee Cave Shrine, track is managed by the Pahalgam
Development Authority under the supervision of DDC Anantnag.
Whereas Baltal to holy cave track is under the control of SASB.
Although the state government and its different wings support the
SASB but there is dichotomy of authority and control.
4.2 On several occasions in the past it has been seen that the
Baltal route is cleared first and the Pahalgam route clearance is
delayed by atleast one month.
4.3 Once the SASB was created by the J&K government, the
Pahalgam axis should also have been automatically brought under the
administrative control of SASB. Clearance of both tracks should
have been handed over to Border Roads Organization (it should be
done now) who possesses sufficient expertise, men and machinery to
clear snow/maintain roads. It is BRO that opens and maintains
Zozilla pass for connectivity with Ladakh every May. Zozilla pass
and Amarnath cave are located at almost same altitude. For BRO,
that already has its presence at Sonmarg & Anantnag, it is not
difficult to open and maintain these tracks.
05. Death Traps en route : On both the routes the
condition of track is so bad that sometimes there is not enough
space for horse/pony to keep its foot on ground firmly. Present
Tracks don't have even needed earthwork done properly, have no
shingle top consolidated smooth surface for the convenience of
horses, laborers and foot yatris. Width of the tracks at some
places is so less that hardly two rows one for coming and other one
for going can just squeeze on these tracks. But for the last four
or five years with the increase in number of Yatris more than four
to five columns of Yatris walk on these tracks pushing each other
and many persons and horses in the last row tread along the
mountain slopes with the risk of any time falling in deep gorges.
There are certain spots along the track which could be simply
called "death traps" for the Yatris and Ponywallas.
5.1.1 Along the Pahalgam route First Death trap is from Chandanwari
to Pisso Top. Track passes through the highly degraded and bouldery
hilly slope with steep climb. No adequate efforts / plans have been
made so far to develop this track properly with atleast 10 feet
width. In this stretch separate tracks need to be made for
Ponnywallas and Yatris on the pattern of Vaishno Devi Track.
Possible repairs of the track should be taken up immediately after
the Yatra is over so that less time in needed for repair before
next year Yatra. Weather permitting good number of working days
would be available from first week August to October for repairs
and improvements.
5.1.2. Second Death Trap on this route is Sheshnag to Mahagunus
(14500 feet) to Posh Pathri. Since on this stretch snow remains for
long time till middle of June most of the Ponywallas and Yatris
travel on slippery snow. This track can be better cleared from snow
with the help of mobile snow cutters. If these machines are used in
good number the track can be cleared in ten days but if laborers
are engaged they will take atleast one to two months. Most of
causalities/injuries have been reported in this stretch due to
slippery snow.
5.1.3 Third death Trap along this route is the track form Panjtarni
to Holy cave just above Sangam. This portion of track even normally
gets cleared from snow right in the month of May or early June due
to hotter and sunny aspect. But in spite of all this the condition
of this portion is so bad that at places it becomes difficult for
two Horses to cross each other. If one column of yatris or
ponywalls pushes the other, some persons and horses from the other
column are under an immediate risk of falling in the Sangam nallha.
This portion requires widening upto fifteen to twenty feet so that
three to four columns can move safely/easily. Simultaneously, if
possible, sufficient space (upto 25 to forty feet) need be provided
for resting of Ponywallas and Palkis atleast after every one
kilometer. Creating such spaces would not need extraordinarily
large excavations/earthwork disturbing the ecology/mountains that
could over ride must requirements emerging out an issue of Hindu
Aastha.
5.2.0 Along the Baltal Holy Cave track there are two death traps
for Yatri's and Ponywallas. One is from Letri to Brari Marg (three
to four kms ) and other is just above Sangam and through the Kali
Mata track.
5.2.1 At Letri there is a big landslide from mountain top to the
River below. At times large boulders roll down at high speed and
strike the Yatris and Ponywallas. During rain these boulders and
landslide sometimes start moving down at high speed bringing huge
debris putting life of yatris to great danger and block the track
also. In this portion of three to four kms there is a need to erect
protection shelters on the pattern of Vaishno Devi track at
ChanjiChat so that small boulders do not hit the travelers. Near
Sangam, slope of track is so steep that most of the Yatris and
ponywallas suffer the risk of falling into Nallah. This portion of
track needs to be taken along the contour in two to three curves.
Baltal Track requires widening at many places particularly from
Letri to Brari Marg.
5.2.2 Kali Mata track of about two kms passes through the rocky
portion with steep fall of upto 100 feet into nalla. The track was
initially made by the laborers for their use with hardly a width of
about one to two feet by putting loose stones together and few
wooden sticks and bushes for support. Slowly Yatris also started
using this track which is highly risky and dangerous. This portion
needs to be developed in proper track atleast upto three feet width
by half tunneling at some places. The track should be developed
along the contour, slowly descending down touching the main track
of shrine cave and avoiding any unnecessary curves along the hilly
slope. Track should be exclusively for foot and Palki (Palanquins)
Yatris and not for Ponies. If this track is developed it will
reduce the distance by another four Kms to the cave and also reduce
rush to the Sangam and also then at top where columns both from
Baltal/Sangam and Panjtarni join and a big crowd is created pushing
each other. At occasions the moving columns of Yatries are halted
here for even two to three hours.
06. Shelter Sheds :
6.1.0 The Yatra management should now think of erecting temporary
prefabricated steel shelter sheds with a capacity of about 5000
yatris at Baltal, Nunwan and Panjtarni. Tents are not fit for use
in the cold and inclement weather, often tents get soaked in water
and yatris have to sleep on mud (sometimes water flows under their
beds). Prefabricated Shelter sheds can accommodate facility for
healthcare and rescue centers.
6.1.1 At Panjtarni sufficient space is available for erecting two
to three such types of temporary shelter sheds which can also serve
as Rescue centres at the time of natural calamity.
6.1.2 There are other places also where smaller shelter sheds of
500 to 1000 Yatris can be erected along the Phalgam axis (1) at
Pisso Top (2) in-between Pissotop and Shesh Nag (3) at Shesh Nag,
Mahagunus and (4) Poshpathri.
6.2.0 Along the Baltal axis smaller shelter sheds should be erected
at Brarimarg and Sangam.
To be continued... at Infrastructural needs and Environmental Impact - II :
Shri Amarnath Yatra
Author is an environmentalist and field biologist and had headed
the J&K State Pollution Control Board. Can be accessed at
[email protected]
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