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| SASB cuts down on luxury safaris to shrine this year | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 2: In view of environmental concerns and to avoid early melting of the lingam (stalagmite), the annual Shri Amarnath pilgrimage, which is all set to begin by June 7 will this year have lesser air sorties for flying pilgrims to the cave shrine.
Sources told Early Times that a decision to this effect was taken on recommendations of the consultative committee on environment which of the view that air sorties contribute to early melting of the lingam. The early melting of the lingam and artificial measures to keep the holy stalagmite intact for the two-month yatra period has remained a controversial issue in previous few years.
Two private air companies engaged by the Shrine Board for the chopper services have been informed to cut down their sorties to a limited number, sources said and added that the Board is according highest priority to the environmental concerns.
The Governor has already constituted a three-member Sub-Committee of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, for formulating and effectively implementing a comprehensive Environment Action Plan during the Yatra. The Sub-Committee, headed by Dr Sunita Narain, an eminent environmentalist, have Dr Ved Kumari Ghai and Mr B B Vyas as its Members. Madan Mantoo, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, is the Member Secretary of the Sub Committee.
The Terms of Reference of this Committee, interalia, include identifying the ecological issues and suggesting approaches/mechanisms to monitor and safeguard the environment of the area; reviewing the existing arrangements and recommending the most appropriate technologies for sewage and waste management, keeping in view the altitude, gradient, temperature etc, to reduce pollution and provide hygienic conveniences to the pilgrims; reviewing the obtaining situation and recommending practical approaches in regard to the sustainable management of the area, by promoting the up-gradation of the local capacities and evolving partnerships for securing an effective outcome.
With preparations for security and other logistic arrangements already getting underway, this year’s annual Amarnath pilgrimage is all set to begin by June 7 for a period of two months. June 7 is the occasion of Virat Purnima and the pilgrimage will end on August 5, the occasion of Shravan Purnima.
Sources said that the Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chairman of the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board, is expected to visit the cave shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas on May 6 and later same day he is likely to announce schedule the pilgrimage. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is reported to have conveyed to the Raj Bhawan that the state government is in agreement with the planned schedule.
Normally the Amarnath pilgrimage schedule is decided after a meeting with the Governor and the Chief Minister but this year, sources said, notes were exchanged between two offices to arrive at the decision.
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