Environmental issues during Amarnath Yatra to be addressed

Keen to ensure the conservation of ecology and environment of the fragile Himalayan region,the abode of the holy Amarnath cave and its tracks from both the Baltal and Pahalgam axis,and all the camping sites,the Governor,who is also the Chairman of the Board,issued the necessary notification this morning in regard to the formulation of the sub committee.

The ecology of the fragile Himalayan region,especially after the extension of annual pilgrimage from one month to two months,has always been a matter of concern for environmentalists across the Valley. As a result,when state government allotted 800 kanals of forest land to Board to create boarding and lodging facility for pilgrims on temporary basis,the people in Valley launched an agitation forcing PDP to move out of Congress led coalition government.

According to the notification,an official spokesperson here said that the sub-committee shall invite,as and when required,experts in the field of environment to attend its meetings as special invitees.

The terms of reference of this committee,interalia,include identifying the ecological issues and suggesting approaches/mechanisms to monitor and safeguard the environment of the area; reviewing the existing arrangements and recommending the most appropriate technologies for sewage and waste management,keeping in view the altitude,gradient,temperature etc,to reduce pollution and provide hygienic conveniences to the pilgrims; reviewing the obtaining situation and recommending practical approaches in regard to the sustainable management of the area,by promoting the up-gradation of the local capacities and evolving partnerships for securing an effective outcome.

The sub-committee will hold its first meeting at Srinagar on March 11 and deliberate over the entire gamut of issues connected with the environment and ecology of the area,the spokesperson added.