Why in news?

The Uttarakhand government on December 8 inaugurated the winter Char Dham circuit, aimed at drawing tourists to the state in the off-season winter months.

What’s in today’s article?

• Char Dham: Sacred Shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas
• Char Dham All Weather Highway Development Project
• Promoting Winter Char Dham Tourism
• Various Concerns
• Recommendations and Actions

Char Dham: Sacred Shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas

• The Revered Char Dham Shrines
  • Located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, the Char Dham comprises Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
  • These shrines attract lakhs of pilgrims annually from May to November, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
• Winter Inaccessibility and Alternate Seats
  • Heavy snowfall during winter makes the shrines inaccessible, leading to their seasonal closure.
  • Deities are relocated to lower-altitude winter seats:
    • Gangotri: Mukhba, Uttarkashi
    • Yamunotri: Kharsali, Uttarkashi
    • Kedarnath: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, Rudraprayag
    • Badrinath: Pandukeshwar, Chamoli

Char Dham All Weather Highway Development Project

• It is a highway expansion project to widen 889 km of hill roads to provide all-weather connectivity in the Char Dham circuit.
• The project, envisaged in 2016, covers Uttarakhand’s four major shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — in the upper Himalayas.
• 

Promoting Winter Char Dham Tourism

• Off-season tourism
  • Winter Char Dham attracts pilgrims during the off-season to boost tourism.
  • As of December 30, 15,314 pilgrims visited the winter shrines, with Omkareshwar Temple receiving the highest footfall (6,482), followed by Pandukeshwar (5,104), Mukhba (3,114), and Kharsali (614).
• Changing Uttarakhand’s Image
  • Beyond a Summer Destination
    • The winter Char Dham aims to position Uttarakhand as a year-round destination.
    • Tourists are encouraged to explore lesser-known spots near the winter abodes of the Char Dham shrines.
  • ‘Sun Tourism’ Initiative
    • Leveraging clear skies and fresh air during North India’s smog-filled winters, the state seeks to attract visitors.
    • The initiative is expected to boost the state’s economy and reinvigorate tourism in the off-season.
  • Economic Significance of Char Dham
    • The Char Dham generates over Rs 200 crore daily for Uttarakhand’s economy during the pilgrimage season.
    • Winter tourism is yet to see substantial growth, but officials are optimistic about increased footfall as the season progresses.

Various Concerns

• Impact of Overcrowding and Commercialisation
  • Unchecked increase in pilgrimage numbers leads to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and the commercialisation of sacred sites.
  • Strain on local infrastructure and fragile ecosystems disrupts the sanctity of holy places.
• Winter Wildlife Disturbance
  • Winter traffic affects rare and threatened wildlife like snow leopards and mountain sheep, as they descend to lower altitudes for food and water.
  • Shy animals face disruptions due to human presence in sensitive areas.
• Harsh Terrain and Weather Risks
  • Safety, security, and public health are key concerns for pilgrims during harsh winter conditions in Uttarakhand’s mountainous regions.

Recommendations and Actions

• Sustainable Yatra Management
  • A sustainable approach is needed to balance pilgrimage with environmental preservation.
  • Proper management can mitigate the negative impacts of increased footfall.
• Carrying Capacity Assessment
  • The National Green Tribunal instructed the state to ascertain the Char Dham’s carrying capacity.
  • The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has engaged the Wildlife Institute of India to study and report on this within a year.