Amarnath yatra: Pilgrims leave their trail behind

Srinagar, Jul 9: The Amarnath yatra which remained suspended for two days due to bad weather resumed on Jul 9 from Pahalgam route.

“The yatra has been resumed from traditional Pahalgam route this morning with more than 4,000 pilgrims heading towards the cave shrine," said a official.

While the yatra has resumed, it is difficult to miss the trails left behind by the pilgrims.

The yatris who live across in tents go heedlessly littering the places around and use river as garbage drain and sewage, ignoring warnings.

"There is no need for toilets. The river is serves all purposes. We use it for washing and bathing," said a pilgrim, Ashish.

People also wash their vehicles in the river water violating rules.

"All the people wash their vehicles here," said Kamal Sharma, a taxi driver.

The crystal clear colour of glaciers have now turned black.

"People are moving on foot in thousands. So there is a generation of dust that ultimately settles on these glaciers and enhances the melting of these glaciers," said Shakeel Ramshoo, Glaciologist, Kashmir University.

The annual Amarnath yatra had begun on Jun 28 amidst tight security with 10,000 security force personnel deployed to cover-up the pilgrims from any possible threat. Around 5,000 paramilitary CRPF and an equal number of state police personnel have been deployed for safety and security of the pilgrims along the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route.

OneIndia News