Alarming Trends from SDC Foundation Analysis Shows 55 “Zero-Pilgrim Days”, Calls for Urgent Action on Economic Relief and Resilient Infrastructure

Dehradun

The first four months of the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, which began on April 30, 2025 have highlighted an extremely challenging season for Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage landscape.
As of August 31, 2025, the Yatra has witnessed 55 “Zero-Pilgrim days” and 89 days where the footfall remained between one to 1,000 pilgrims across different shrines.

“Zero-Pilgrim days” are those days where not a single pilgrim could reach the Char Dhams.

The analysis by the Dehradun-based environmental action and advocacy group, Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, reveals that the first four months of the Char Dham Yatra 2025 have been among the most disrupted in recent years.

Among the four shrines, Yamunotri has been the worst affected, with 23 Zero-Pilgrim days and 30 days with one to 1,000 visitors.

Gangotri faced 27 Zero-Pilgrim days and 9 days with sub-1,000 footfalls. In comparison, Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath recorded 3 and 2 Zero-Pilgrim days, respectively.

The trend of low turnout with one to 1,000 pilgrims was also visible in Hemkund Sahib (29 days), Kedarnath (19 days), and Badrinath (2 days).

Anoop Nautiyal, founder of SDC Foundation asserted that the repeated disruptions due to extreme weather, landslides, and disasters have severely impacted the Yatra, breaking the backbone of Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage-driven economy. With lakhs of local people depending on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood, the situation calls for immediate, proactive intervention by the state government.

“The Char Dham Yatra is one of the key economic lifelines of our hill economy. The frequency of weather and rain related disasters and disruptions this year clearly shows that the state needs to shift its focus from record-setting pilgrim numbers to building resilience and sustainability in pilgrimage infrastructure,” he added.

Anoop Nautiyal stressed that investment in climate-resilient roads, improved drainage systems, real-time weather monitoring, robust communication networks, and disaster-safe shelters must become a priority in Uttarakhand. He added that a comprehensive economic relief package for businesses, transporters, and service providers who have suffered this season is essential to prevent bankruptcy especially for new entrepreneurs, minimize societal upheaval and manage mental health challenges.

Anoop concluded that for the long term, making the Yatra climate and disaster proof and not merely a numbers-driven exercise as the current focus must become the guiding principle with planning for resilience over record-breaking pilgrim numbers the need of the hour. The outlook for the immediate future also remains uncertain, with the Char Dham suspended for five days in early September and road access to Yamunotri and Gangotri severely damaged. The coming weeks will test the state’s preparedness and ability to respond quickly for the remaining Yatra season.