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| No threat to environment due to Amarnath yatra: Sinha | | Altaf regrets controversies on yatra | | Early Times Reporter
Baltal | May 19
Governor Lt. General (Retd ) S K Sinha today assured that apprehensions about damage to environment due to Amarnath yatra were uncalled for, saying that all necessary precautions are being taken to preserve the fragile ecology of the area.
Interacting with officers and workers of Kangan area at Baltal, after having an aerial survey of the 13- kilometer track up to the Holy Cave, this morning, the Governor referred to the measures taken to ensure that wild life sanctuaries are not disturbed and health and hygiene is maintained at all costs.
"Last year, Rs 2 crore was spent on environmental friendly modern toilets alone", General Sinha said and dwelt on the health and hygiene measures like ban on ploythene, maintenance of parking area, regulation of langers and shops and cleaning of camps and tracks up to the Cave Shrine. He also ruled out the possibility of having a road from Baltal to the Cave, saying this is just unthinkable. He, however, said that there is need for black topping the existing road from Brari Marg to Domail, which will be environmental friendly as there will be no scope for dust due to increased movement of vehicular traffic.
Reiterating that Shri Amarnathji yatra is a symbol of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos, the Governor said its successful accomplishment is impossible without the active support of the majority community. 'This has been coming in great measure and it is the locals enviable hospitality and warmth that has seen the yatra flourishing over the years', he said, adding that the Board attaches immense importance to this yatra for improving the local economy. He said the Board is taking due care of the interests of vendors, tent wallas, pony and pithu-wallas. Though some prefabricated huts have been raised to accommodate affluent section of devotees yet it will not affect the business of tent wallas as the Board has decided to outsource the management of huts to the locals on commission basis. He said tourism is emerging as the biggest industry of 21st century and pilgrim tourism can play a pivotal role in this regard.
General Sinha appreciated the dedication and single-mindedness of the local population in facilitating this yatra and hoped that this gesture will continue in years to come.
Highlighting the importance of the yatra for local economy, former minister and MLA Mian Altaf Ahmed regretted over unnecessary controversies being raked up on the onset of the yatra every year. He said that apart from being a source of earning for hundreds of locals, the people have an emotional attachment with this yatra as they have grown witnessing this annual event for decades.
The veteran Gujjar leader urged the Governor, in his capacity as Chairman of the Shrine Board, to improve the facilities both for pilgrims and the work force working round the clock there. He also sought black-topping of the Brari Marg- Domail road for hassle free movement of traffic.
Altaf referred to certain grey areas that needed the immediate attention of the Board and said that increased facilities would mean larger influx of pilgrims, which will in turn percolate down in the shape of economic benefits to the locals.
Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Dr Arun Kumar gave an overview of the facilities created for this year's pilgrimage. He said that the human excreta is being converted into manure and last year's reserves has been in great demand by the farmers in Pahalgam. He said that all the open deep trench lavatories have been replaced by eco-friendly pre-fab toilets, which don't emanate foul odors and where night soil is chemically treated.
He said the administration and the police have been urged not to allow any pilgrims to the Cave Shrine before the yatra starts officially on June 18. |
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