Char Dham warning: Traffic congestion & surging pilgrims impacting glaciers
Thursday, 16 MAY 2024 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
The heightened traffic and surge in the number of pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra- encompassing Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath- will have a substantial adverse impact on the local environment, particularly the glaciers, the experts opined. The Char Dham Yatra that began on May 10 this year is witnessing about a 60 per cent increase in the number of pilgrims as compared to last year. The experts warned that the congestion en route to Char Dham along with the loud music and sheer volume of pilgrims will not only affect the glaciers but also the rivers flowing in nearby regions.
Professor of Environmental Science at VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, S P Sati said that the number of pilgrims visiting Char Dham increases every year. “I must say that the government is to blame as far as this trend is concerned. It has failed to distinguish pilgrimage from regular tourism. Despite the fact that the government is constructing wider roads to alleviate traffic congestion, the road ordeal keeps exacerbating due to traffic gridlock in several areas. This is where the danger lies. The heightened traffic congestion along the Char Dham Yatra route directly impacts the glaciers with vehicle emissions altering their colour and leading to eventual melting. This, in turn, may result in deluge similar to what happened in Kedarnath in 2013,” he said.
Further, Sati noted with concern instances of people playing drums and making loud noise at the commencement of the Yatra. “Apart from causing noise pollution, these actions contribute to vibrations that can lead to cracks and fragmentation in the glaciers. There is only one option left for the State government to steer clear of such disasters and that is to restrict the volume of traffic along the main routes of Char Dham Yatra. Additionally, instead of promoting it the way they are now doing, they should distinguish between regular tourism and the Char Dham pilgrimage,” said Sati.
Expressing the same concern, Assistant Professor, department of Geology, Doon University Rajeev Saran Ahluwalia said that increased traffic during the Char Dham Yatra might trigger irreversible damage to the environment, in general, and the glaciers, in particular. “The carbon emissions from vehicles directly affect the glaciers and accelerate their melting rate. The melting glaciers feed into nearby rivers causing adverse effects on wildlife, biodiversity and more. Additionally, noise pollution generated by vehicles as well as dust and drum beats could potentially trigger major landslides. To prevent further damage to the glaciers, the government should consider implementing a pooling system to reduce the traffic pressure during Char Dham Yatra,” said Ahluwalia.
