<p>Following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on July 31, the Uttarakhand government has tasked the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun with evaluating the carrying capacity for pilgrims at the Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Hemkund Sahib Pilgrimage routes.<br><br>The state government is required to submit an affidavit detailing this carrying capacity due to concerns about overcrowding and its associated risks. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, the member secretary of the State Pollution Control Board, mentioned, “Following the NGT’s order, we have tasked WII with assessing and providing a comprehensive report on the capacity for pilgrims at Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Hemkund Sahib. This assessment includes waste management facilities, the number of mules and horses used on the pilgrimage routes, and related management issues.<br><br>Dhakate also mentioned that this report will assist the state in managing the Kanwar Yatra more effectively and ensuring the protection of the Himalayan environment. Responding to a petition about several environmental violations, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) highlighted the lack of a defined carrying capacity at these shrines. They emphasized the need for the state to clarify who would be held responsible if any incidents occur.<br>In their July 31 order, the NGT pointed out that there is currently no set carrying capacity, even on a temporary basis, for pilgrims on the routes to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and no limits on the number of pilgrims allowed on these paths.<br><br>The tribunal has ordered the environment secretary to join the next hearing on January 9, 2025, via video call to discuss how the state plans to handle any problems arising from not having a set carrying capacity.<br><br>Earlier, the environment secretary was supposed to attend a hearing on November 13 but failed to show up. Because of this, the NGT has reiterated its requirement for virtual attendance at the January session.<br>In an effort to address these issues proactively, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had already directed officials in May to assess the carrying capacity of the Char Dham shrines and other significant locations along the yatra route. Dhami emphasized the rapid increase in the number of devotees and the need to evaluate the capacity not only of the Char Dham shrines but also of other sites along the route. He stressed the importance of proposals related to parking and basic amenities being sent to the Housing Department.<br>The number of pilgrims visiting Char Dham has soared from 1.2 million in 2000 to over 4.8 million this year, resulting in significant overcrowding in the fragile Himalayan valleys. This year, 4.8 million pilgrims have journeyed to the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib shrines: 1.42 million to Badrinath, 1.65 million to Kedarnath, 0.81 million to Gangotri, and 0.71 million to Yamunotri. The previous year saw a record 4.6 million pilgrims, while numbers were lower in 2021 and 2020 due to COVID-19.<br><br>Following the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, the Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Committee recommended limiting daily pilgrims to 5,000 at Kedarnath, 6,000 at Badrinath, 3,500 at Yamunotri, and 4,000 at Gangotri.</p>