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| Yatra period curtailment untenable | | | Till date over 1.65 lakh pilgrims have been registered for the ensuing annual Amarnath yatra during the first 14 days of registration.This indicates that the enthusiasm among the pilgrims continues to rise with the yatra dates nearing.For the yatris security related issues hardly concern them because they are drawn to the holy cave out of their devotion and religious belief.Even when the level of militancy was at its peak in the Kashmir valley in 1991-94 several thousand pilgrims made it to the holy cave,supposed to be the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort,Parvati.With the security environment getting better and following conflict between the successive state Governments and the Governors who head the Amarnath Shrine Board over the duration of the yatra more and more pilgrims were seen on their way to the mountain cave situated at a height of 13500 ft.above sea level in eastern Kashmir.In fact besides the huge pilgrim traffic to the shrine of Mata
Vaishnov Devi the Amarnath pilgrimage have given new dimensions to the tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the last over five decades Kashmir's economy would bank also on tourist traffic to the scenic valley. Prior to the rise of militancy in 1990 between five and seven lakh tourists would visit Kashmir annually. This included over 70,000 foreigners. Naturally those who depend on tourism, directly and indirectly, remained the main benificiaries.Over the years hoteliers, houseboat owners, traders and transporters fully enjoyed the monetary gains from the heavy tourist traffic to Kashmir. But the rise of Pakistan sponsored militancy ruined tourism industry when between 1991 and 1996 not more than 10,000 to 20,000 tourists would visit Kashmir annually. What kept hops of traders, transporters and hoteliers in Jammu and Kashmir alive were growing pilgrim tourism to the state. Imagine the benefit traders, transporters, porters,poneywallas and hoteliers get when over 75 lakh pilgrims visit the shrine of Mata Vaishnov Devi per year and between four and five lakh pilgrims make it to the Amarnath cave.
It is really unfortunate that the duration of the Amarnath pilgrimage has given rise to a conflict between the Shrine Board and the state Government and between the pilgrims and the Government. The Shrine Board has been in favour of a minimum two-month duration for the annual yatra whereas the state Government does not want to go beyond 45-day yatra duration.If left it to the Government it would not allow the yatra period to exceed by one month.Without digging graves one would like to ask the state Government as to why it should favour shorter yatra duration when the pilgrims, who visit the holy cave,are not beggars and mendicant but as good as tourists who spend money on their travel,boarding,lodging and shopping.During the last 10 years a large number of Amarnath pilgrims have spent days in hotels and houseboats in Kashmir before or after the yatra thereby allowing people a chance to earn money.If the yatra duration period is allowed to be two-month routine more and more pilgrims can make it to the cave without any hassles.You cannot expect more than 3,000 to 5,000 pilgrims to have darshan of the ice lingam each day.And when in 2006 over four lakh pilgrims visited the cave bigger yatra duration was called for.Last year five lakh pilgrims made it to the cave and this year not less than four lakh pilgrims are likely to visit the shrine. Hence even if 5,000 pilgrims are allowed to move to Pahalgam and Baltal per day two months will be required for allowing over four lakh pilgrims to have an incident free trek to the holy cave.
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