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| With fresh experiences on table, SASB discusses 2010 pilgrimage | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Srinagar, July 12- Recognizing the avoidable difficulties faced by the pilgrims for want of certainty in regard to essential aspects of the annual Yatra, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is likely to declare the schedule for Yatra-2010 soon after this year’s Yatra comes to close. This will enable the Board, the service providing Departments of the State Government and the stake-holders in the pilgrimage to undertake advance planning and ensure the required arrangements for a well regulated Yatra next year.
This was indicated at the 17th Meeting of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), held here this afternoon, with the Governor, NN Vohra, in the Chair.
The Board reviewed the status of the ongoing Yatra and the various other measures taken for ensuring the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage via both the routes of Pahalgam and Baltal.
The Governor, who is Chairman of the SASB, informed the Members about the adverse weather conditions in early June this year which necessitated rescheduling of the Yatra from 15th June via Baltal and 26th June from the traditional route of Pahalgam. These decisions, he added, had to be taken in the larger interests, to ensure the safety and security of the Yatris undertaking the arduous journey.
The Governor observed that the experience gained during the ongoing Yatra will help in devising newer strategies for fine tuning various facilities for the next year’s Yatra at the Base Camps and enroute the Cave Shrine. He added that major policy reforms are required with regard to the establishment of free langars, shops and tents during the Yatra. Stressing greater involvement of the various stake-holders in order to ensure participation of all segments of the society in the Yatra, which has remained a shining symbol of the pluralistic ethos of the State, the Governor indicated that the Board shall take steps to further streamline the system of registration of Yatris for making the process easy, accessible and more productive.
The Governor acknowledged the support extended by the State Government, the Security Forces and more particularly the people of the Valley in the conduct of the Yatra. He said that the Yatra is progressing peacefully and every effort is being made to make this a memorable event for the pilgrims visiting the Holy Cave and various places of interest in the Valley.
The Chief Executive Officer, SASB, Mr. B. B. Vyas, presented details of the arrangements put in place for the ongoing Yatra and said special focus had been laid on the preservation and conservation of environment in the fragile Yatra area in the Himalayas. He referred to the Pilot Projects launched in the two Base Camps of Baltal and Nunwan and stated that these will go a long way in addressing the environmental concerns of these areas. He said that 1527 environmental friendly toilets and baths have been set up all along the Yatra routes and the Base Camps.
The CEO presented before the Board the key strategies adopted for Yatra 2009, particularly regarding involvement of local stakeholders in a substantive way with the Yatra and the Board. Accordingly, meetings were chaired by the Chairman, SASB, with the various local stakeholders-particularly the Tourist and Travel Trade Industry Associations-to provide a larger role for them in the Yatra. He said that the Board also took various measures for extending maximum economic benefits to the local stakeholders in terms of renewal of permissions for setting up tents, shops and other establishments for the facility of pilgrims.
Expressing concern over the deaths of Yatris so far during the Yatra, the CEO informed the Board that the lack of acclimatization to the high altitude environment, coupled with the intermitted inclement weather and snowfalls, a number of Yatris have been losing their lives every year, largely due to cardiac arrest.
Those present in the meeting included Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Justice (Retd) G. D. Sharma, Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai, Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Shri B. B. Vyas, CEO, SASB.
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