Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Urvashi Shobhna Kachari Vs Union of India & Others dated 12/08/2022.

The NGT directed a joint committee to submit report on steps to be taken for the preservation of ecology in and around the pilgrim tracks in the sensitive and biodiverse regions of Uttarakhand.

An application before the NGT said that the ecology of the popular pilgrim places in Uttarakhand was compromised due to the exponential increase of equines and pilgrims in the state. It was stated that the number of pilgrims and tourists has drastically and exponentially increased after Covid-19 pandemic in Uttarkhand particularly in respect of pilgrims to Kedarnath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, Gangotri Gomukh Dham and Yamonotri Dham. Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee had stated that till the evening of June 11, 2022, total number of pilgrims reaching Uttarakhand chardham was 19,04,253.

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