Carefulness is next to godliness

The Uttarakhand government's proposal for a daily cap on the number of pilgrims at Badrinath, one of the pilgrimage towns that comprise the Char Dham, is the right move. Setting caps for other pilgrimage towns would be welcome, too. The state government must not give in to pressure to abandon the plan. Capping the number of pilgrims will ensure that these towns are hosting visitors in keeping with capacity. Rather than oppose the plan, the local temple authorities should welcome it as a way to preserve these tirtha sthans for generations to come.

The government's plan is in keeping with a development pathway that seeks to ensure growth and sustainability. Orderly visits that a registration system can ensure that visitors are able to have a good, indeed spiritual, experience, facilities being commensurate to need, and the town is maintained properly. Priests and others opposing the proposal need to be reminded of the subsidence of Joshimath. Short-term economic benefits cannot be prioritised at the cost of long-term benefits and safety. Ensuring that historical and cultural sites are preserved must be a priority. Leveraging them for economic activity is good, but unchecked leveraging for commercial and economic benefits will only result in killing the golden goose. For the priests, preserving the religious and culturally relevant sites and ensuring that people live in harmony with nature should be a priority.

Concerns about the economic impact of limiting the number of visitors, however, must be considered seriously. The state government, local authorities, businesses and other stakeholders must work together to create new opportunities. But the first step is to recognise the need to conserve and preserve these holy places.