Winter Char Dham: Discover Uttarakhand's Off-Season Pilgrimage

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Char Dham: Sacred Shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas
• Char Dham All Weather Highway Development Project
• Promoting Winter Char Dham Tourism
• Various Concerns
• Recommendations and Actions

Why in News?

The Uttarakhand government on December 8 inaugurated the winter Char Dham circuit, aimed at drawing tourists to the state in the off-season winter months.

Char Dham: Sacred Shrines of the Garhwal Himalayas

• The Revered Char Dham Shrines
  • Located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, the Char Dham comprises Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
  • These shrines attract lakhs of pilgrims annually from May to November, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
• Winter Inaccessibility and Alternate Seats
  • Heavy snowfall during winter makes the shrines inaccessible, leading to their seasonal closure.
  • Deities are relocated to lower-altitude winter seats:
    • Gangotri: Mukhba, Uttarkashi
    • Yamunotri: Kharsali, Uttarkashi
    • Kedarnath: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, Rudraprayag
    • Badrinath: Pandukeshwar, Chamoli

Char Dham All Weather Highway Development Project

• It is a highway expansion project to widen 889 km of hill roads to provide all-weather connectivity in the Char Dham circuit.
• The project, envisaged in 2016, covers Uttarakhand’s four major shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — in the upper Himalayas.

Promoting Winter Char Dham Tourism

• Off-season tourism
  • Winter Char Dham attracts pilgrims during the off-season to boost tourism.
  • As of December 30, 15,314 pilgrims visited the winter shrines, with Omkareshwar Temple receiving the highest footfall (6,482), followed by Pandukeshwar (5,104), Mukhba (3,114), and Kharsali (614).
• Changing Uttarakhand’s Image
  • Beyond a Summer Destination
    • The winter Char Dham aims to position Uttarakhand as a year-round destination.
    • Tourists are encouraged to explore lesser-known spots near the winter abodes of the Char Dham shrines.
• ‘Sun Tourism’ Initiative
  • Leveraging clear skies and fresh air during North India’s smog-filled winters, the state seeks to attract visitors.
  • The initiative is expected to boost the state’s economy and reinvigorate tourism in the off-season.
• Economic Significance of Char Dham
  • The Char Dham generates over Rs 200 crore daily for Uttarakhand’s economy during the pilgrimage season.
  • Winter tourism is yet to see substantial growth, but officials are optimistic about increased footfall as the season progresses.

Various Concerns

• Impact of Overcrowding and Commercialisation
  • Unchecked increase in pilgrimage numbers leads to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and the commercialisation of sacred sites.
  • Strain on local infrastructure and fragile ecosystems disrupts the sanctity of holy places.
• Winter Wildlife Disturbance
  • Winter traffic affects rare and threatened wildlife like snow leopards and mountain sheep, as they descend to lower altitudes for food and water.
  • Shy animals face disruptions due to human presence in sensitive areas.
• Harsh Terrain and Weather Risks
  • Safety, security, and public health are key concerns for pilgrims during harsh winter conditions in Uttarakhand’s mountainous regions.

Recommendations and Actions

• Sustainable Yatra Management
  • A sustainable approach is needed to balance pilgrimage with environmental preservation.
  • Proper management can mitigate the negative impacts of increased footfall.
• Carrying Capacity Assessment
  • The National Green Tribunal instructed the state to ascertain the Char Dham’s carrying capacity.
  • The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board has engaged the Wildlife Institute of India to study and report on this within a year.

Q.1. What is the Winter Char Dham, and why is it significant?

The Winter Char Dham features lower-altitude shrines for Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath during winter, promoting off-season tourism and boosting Uttarakhand's economy.

Q.2. What challenges does the Winter Char Dham face?

Key challenges include environmental degradation, wildlife disturbances, and safety concerns due to harsh terrain and weather, highlighting the need for sustainable management.

Source: IE | NIE | ToI