'Amarnath Yatra not a threat to the environment'

SRINAGAR: Stressing that apprehensions about damage to the environment due to the Amarnath Yatra are "uncalled for", Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha on Monday said all necessary precautions are being taken to preserve the fragile ecology of the area.

Interacting with officers and workers of Kangan area at the Baltal base camp after an aerial survey of the 13-kilometre long track up to the Holy Cave this morning, ahead of the commencement of the yatra next month, the governor detailed the measures being taken to ensure that wildlife habitat is not disturbed in the area.

"Last year, Rs 2 crore was spent on environment friendly modern toilets alone, this year also adequate measures are being taken up", Sinha said dwelling on the health and hygiene measures like ban on polythene, maintenance of parking area, regulation of 'langers' and shops and cleaning of camps and tracks upto the cave.

The governor ruled out the possibility of a road from Baltal upto the cave, terming the suggestion as "just unthinkable."

He, however, stressed there was need for a concrete road from Brari Marg to Domail which will prove to be environment friendly as it will reduce the dust in the air due to increased vehicular traffic.

The annual two-month pilgrimage to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine of Amarnath is scheduled to commence on June 18.

Sinha reiterated that the "yatra is a symbol of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos" and its successful accomplishment is impossible without the active support of the locals.

"It is the locals' enviable hospitality and warmth that has seen the yatra flourishing over the years", the governor said.