A Dehradun-based NGO has raised strong concerns over the growing number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dham shrines, urging the Uttarakhand government to regulate daily footfall to prevent potential disaster.
The Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, led by its founder Anoop Nautiyal, cited media reports suggesting that the state government has chosen not to impose any limits on the number of devotees visiting the Char Dham temples — Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — located in the Upper Garhwal Himalayas.
“This effectively means that every registered pilgrim will be allowed to visit the shrines,” Nautiyal said. “With the ever-increasing rush of pilgrims, it is crucial to regulate their numbers based on the carrying capacity of these holy sites to avoid overcrowding and mismanagement.”
The Char Dham Yatra is set to begin on April 30, starting with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples. Last year, the pilgrimage attracted nearly 50 lakh devotees, sparking concerns over the pressure on local infrastructure and fragile ecosystems.
The SDC Foundation, known for its work in climate change, urbanisation, and environmental protection, recently released a detailed report on the 2024 Yatra, which lasted 192 days. The report analyzed daily visitor data over a 28-week period, included 14 graphs, 10 key issues, and recommendations for simplifying the registration process.
Despite claims of unrestricted access, online registration slots are already booked for Yamunotri until May 18, while Kedarnath slots are available for just seven more days, according to Nautiyal. “If there are no restrictions, why are people being denied registration?” he questioned.
He warned that unrestricted entry claims could cause chaos if pilgrims arrive under false assumptions. “The state had earlier suggested a 60:40 ratio for online and offline registrations. Turning away pilgrims due to full slots would not only create logistical issues but also damage the state’s reputation.”
Nautiyal stressed that the focus should move away from celebrating record-breaking numbers and instead prioritize health, safety, ecological preservation, and the welfare of communities who depend on these sacred spaces.
“Merely boasting about record pilgrim turnout undermines the spiritual and cultural essence of the Yatra,” he said. “When we reduce a deeply meaningful journey to a numbers game, we lose sight of its divine purpose.”
SDC Foundation urged the government and stakeholders to adopt a regulated, capacity-based approach to safeguard the environment, the infrastructure, and the sanctity of the Char Dham sites.
