AMARNATH YATRA: Proper waste segregation, disposal aims to create eco-friendly pilgrimage

Baltal, Jul 20: The Amarnath Yatra is making strides towards a zero-landfill pilgrimage through various initiatives focused on waste management, segregation, and recycling.

Collaborative efforts of the Shri Amaranth Ji Shrine Board and the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched various initiatives to make the annual Amarnath Yatra a zero-landfill pilgrimage.

These initiatives of the Rural Sanitation department and Rural Development Department include use of eco-friendly bags, ban on plastic and proper disposal of the waste and other measures are transforming the Amarnath Yatra into an environmentally conscious pilgrimage. Officials said that since the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra tonnes of dry and wet waste has been collected and handled properly on both Baltal and Pahalgam axis.

They said that the key efforts include distributing sustainable kits, implementing waste segregation practices, utilizing technology for information and engagement, and establishing composting units. Besides, several initiatives with services providers have been taken to ensure a clean and waste-free yatra. Eco-friendly bags were being provided in place of plastic and polythene bags. Water ATMs have been installed at Yatra base camps and enroute to holy cave to reduce the PET bottles consumption.

Director General Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra said a considerable amount of waste generation is witnessed, necessitating effective waste management strategies to maintain the pilgrimage site and ensure complete waste collection.

She said that to ensure a sustainable Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage and achieve zero landfill goals, a significant quantity of wet and dry waste has been collected from different camp locations and enroute, and the same has been processed using appropriate scientific methods. She further added that the department remains committed to upholding these standards throughout the pilgrimage, ensuring a zero-landfill experience for all participants.

Meanwhile, officials informed that since the commencement of the Amaranth Ji Yatra about 144140.0 kg of waste has been collected and out of which 141530.0 kg of waste has been processed along both the Baltal and Pahalgam axis.

Officials said that to ensure “Zero Landfill Yatra” atleast 15 Waste Processing Centres, 4 Plastic Waste Collection centres and 6 Water ATM have been established on both Baltal and Pahalgam axis to deal with huge quantities of wet and dry waste collected from different camp locations and enroute. Apart from men and machinery, robust Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies have been put in place to maintain the yatra sites and ensure complete waste collection. The officials said that the response from pilgrims has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have praised the efforts to keep the Yatra route clean and have expressed their appreciation for the sustainable kits and technology-enabled initiatives.