Few state governments are as blessed with bountiful ecology as Uttarakhand. Yet, none can rival its record of squandering these invaluable treasures
Few state governments are as blessed with bountiful ecology as Uttarakhand, home to the majestic Himalayas, countless rivers, thick forests, and thousands of natural springs. Yet, none can rival Uttarakhand’s record of squandering these invaluable environmental treasures.
Repeated warnings by leading scientists and environmentalists from around the globe have not deterred Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami from pursuing an environmentally destructive agenda. The latest example is the promotion of the Char Dham Yatra during the winter months.
Winter is the only time when the upper Himalayas and the local population get respite from the influx of crores of tourists who visit the region during the summer in the name of religious tourism. According to the tourism department, approximately six crore tourists visited the state this year, with around 5.5 crore categorized as religious tourists — a staggering 66% increase from 2022. By 2026, these numbers are expected to rise sharply.
By the time the portals of Badrinath closed this November, nearly six lakh vehicles had brought pilgrims to the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. While the state government aims to double these numbers, it seems oblivious to the adverse effects of pollutants from these vehicles on the glaciers in the region, including those around Satopanth and Gangotri.
Vehicular pollution in mountainous regions is exponentially more damaging than in the plains, as vehicles are often driven in first or second gear. These emit a cocktail of harmful gases and particulates, including lead, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide, all of which accelerate climate change and extreme weather events such as flash floods, cloudbursts, and lightning strikes.
The exponential increase in religious tourism has been facilitated by the much-publicized Char Dham all-weather road, built at a staggering cost of over ₹12,000 crore. However, a recent scientific paper by the Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Germany, highlights that the road’s construction is the primary cause of the exponential rise in landslides. The study reveals improper construction practices, such as perpendicular slope cutting instead of slanting, as the main culprits.
As a result, the road — intended to improve connectivity — has ironically done the opposite, with seven to eight landslides reported daily, leading to deaths, injuries, and traffic jams that sometimes last 3–4 days. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, landslides claimed 160 lives this year, though locals believe the number is significantly higher.
The Potsdam study documented 309 fully or partially road-blocking landslides along the 250-km corridor between Rishikesh and Joshimath after exceptionally heavy rains in late 2022, averaging 3.5 landslides per kilometre.
The environmental challenges do not end there. ISRO has warned that the region is one of India’s most landslide- and earthquake-prone, situated along the Main Central Thrust fault line. Overburdening these fragile ecosystems with increasing human activity will only exacerbate these risks.
Despite such warnings, the state government persists with its plans. It argues that since the idol of Lord Badrinath is moved to the Vasudeva temple in Joshimath during winter, the town needs redevelopment akin to the large-scale reconstruction of Badrinath.
However, the residents of Joshimath, still reeling from land subsidence that caused massive cracks in their homes, remain unconvinced. Many fear that increased construction on unstable slopes will worsen subsidence, causing irreparable harm.
Atul Joshi, head of the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, points out that many hill towns, including Joshimath, are built on glacial moraines and landslide debris, leaving them highly vulnerable to earthquakes. “Caution must be exercised in building practices and in regulating tourist numbers. Unfortunately, caution and restraint are not part of this government’s vocabulary,” Joshi said.
The idols of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri are moved to Ukhimath, Mukhba, and Kharsali villages, respectively, during the winter. The government’s plans to develop these areas into tourist hubs are further alarming environmentalists.
The medical fraternity has also sounded the alarm. During the summer months alone, over 200 yatris died of cardiac issues exacerbated by high altitudes and unpredictable weather. In winter, the biting cold and extreme weather conditions will only worsen health outcomes for yatris, most of whom are ill-prepared for such challenges.
“Many pilgrims come in rubber slippers, inadequately clad for the harsh weather. The majority come from economically weaker sections and have no idea how cold it gets,” said a cardiologist from Doon Hospital.
Dr. C.P. Rajendran, an earth scientist specializing in tectonics and earthquake geology, has described the Char Dham road as a “freeway disaster.” He stresses that any development strategy must balance infrastructure needs with the carrying capacity of the region.
“Sadly, the government is focused on revenue, not on the safety of pilgrims,” Rajendran said. “Winter weather can trigger landslides and snowstorms, creating hazardous conditions that can prove fatal.”
Environmentalist Renu Paul concurs. “A winter Char Dham Yatra will push this fragile ecosystem and its local population beyond their limits. This unregulated influx of tourists will permanently destroy Uttarakhand’s natural heritage,” she said.
While hoteliers and business owners benefit from the commercial activity, many locals worry that this ruthless exploitation will strip the region of its religious sanctity and ecological balance. Untreated waste piling up in river systems is just one of the many environmental consequences.
What drives millions of devotees to risk their lives for this pilgrimage? The state government’s aggressive marketing of Char Dham packages, coupled with political leaders’ publicized visits, has amplified its appeal. Devotion often blinds yatris to the dangers, and when lives are lost, the government appears indifferent. Religion, unfortunately, has become a badge of power, with yatris paying the ultimate price.
-- FPJ
