60% pilgrims reached Char Dhams in the first 30 Days and 183 pilgrims died in the first 100 days
Dehradun
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has completed 100 days, during which 3,261,095 pilgrims visited the Char Dhams and Hemkund Sahib. Of this total, 60% or 19,56,269 pilgrims arrived in the first 30 days, while the remaining 40% or 13,04,826 pilgrims came in the following 70 days. Analyzing the pattern of pilgrimage during these 100 days, the Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, which works on Uttarakhand centric social and environmental issues, has released a report titled Data Analysis of 100 Days of Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra 2024 Mid-Term Report
First 30 Days Were Overwhelming
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand began on May 10 this year. The yatra completed 100 days on August 17. The portals of Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath opened on May 12, and Hemkund Sahib on May 25. By August 17, the yatra completed its 100-day mark. SDC Foundation has divided its report into 14 weeks and 2 days, providing detailed information on the number of pilgrims arriving each week and the remaining two days.
Kedarnath Attracted the Most Pilgrims
While releasing the report, Anoop Nautiyal, the founder of SDC Foundation, stated that in the first 100 days, Kedarnath saw the highest number of pilgrims, with 10,92,284 visitors. Badrinath had 9,05,954 pilgrims, Gangotri had 5,98,723, Yamunotri had 5,14,472, and Hemkund Sahib saw 1,49,662 pilgrims.
The report, prepared based on data from the State Emergency Operations Center and various district yatra control rooms mentions that on May 21, Kedarnath witnessed its highest single-day influx with 38,682 pilgrims. In Badrinath, the peak was on May 19, with 28,055 pilgrims. Gangotri had the highest number of visitors on May 12, with 18,973 pilgrims, and Yamunotri saw its peak on May 17, with 15,800 pilgrims. Hemkund Sahib recorded the highest number of visitors on May 25, with 5,785 pilgrims.
Highest Death Toll in Kedarnath
The report also covers the number of deaths in the dham areas during this period. According to the report, a total of 183 pilgrims died in the first 100 days. Kedarnath witnessed the highest number of deaths, with 89 fatalities, including 6 due to natural disasters and the remaining 83 due to health-related issues. Badrinath saw 44 deaths, Yamunotri 31, Gangotri 15, and Hemkund Sahib 4 deaths due to health reasons.
Summary and Demands
Anoop Nautiyal expressed deep concern and disappointment over the blatant violations of the carrying capacity principles in the management of the Char Dham Yatra and other festivals in Uttarakhand. He noted a continuous trend in the Uttarakhand government of widely promoting the number of pilgrims as a record. This trend needs to be immediately halted, and the Char Dham Yatra in the future should be managed based on the carrying capacity determined by impartial experts.
Anoop Nautiyal also called for a comprehensive review of the highly disorganized Char Dham Yatra by the Uttarakhand government at the end of the yatra. There are several areas, including online/offline registration, helicopter services and aero safety, crowd management, solid and plastic waste management, healthcare services, landslide mitigation, and others, where significant improvements are needed. This can only be achieved through reviews and consultations with stakeholders.
He mentioned that SDC Foundation would release a detailed report at the conclusion of the Char Dham Yatra. The mid-term report will be submitted to the Chief Secretary of the Uttarakhand government. He expressed hope that this report would assist the departments managing the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
