When our forefathers coined the concept of yatras, what they didn’t foresee was the alteration of the real motive -- to bridge the gap between man and nature and bring them closer to its latent beauty. Man did go closer to the nature, but only to spoil it’s magnificent beauty.
There are three major annual yatras namely Vaishno Devi, Amarnath and Machail. These attract a lot of followers. Since its takes a lot of time to reach the destination, there is an arrangement of food and drinks which is referred as ‘langar’. This is organised both at the formal as well as an informal level. Then arises the big problem!! Any guess? Yes. its disposing the waste generated.
Classifying the waste generated, we can categorise it in two groups,
Solid Waste: Due to absence of proper disposal system, waste is dumped in the open. Because of low temperature and at high altitude the decomposition process is relatively low and all the waste, including food material and plastics keep accumulating. Many a times Amarnath Shivlingam isn’t visible as it is submerged in the sea of plastic bags of parshaad. Even the pious Baanganga is not spared. The devotees have polluted by dumping waste materials resulting it in becoming quite an eyesore.
Liquid Waste: Just like solid waste, there is no proper disposal of liquid waste also. People are forced to use open spaces and water bodies flowing by as toilets. Even though in Amarnath shrine, efforts have been made to recycle the liquid waste but the story isn’t the same everywhere. There is discoloration of the water bodies and pollution level have increased at an alarming level.
Defeating the real motive, humans have spoilt the pious and sacred religious destinations through reckless activities and irresponsible attitude.
The government as well as disciples should not contribute in destroying the natural beauty of these sacred places. Eco-friendly dumping options like compost pits and treatment plants should be in place and plastics in the form of bottles and tetra packs should be completely banned. In addition to this, recycling plants should be set up.
Looks like humans have forgotten that the earth does not belong to us. Instead, we belong to the earth. Gods will not descend from heavens to clean up the mess we have created. We only have to transform the hell into heaven again.
There are three major annual yatras namely Vaishno Devi, Amarnath and Machail. These attract a lot of followers. Since its takes a lot of time to reach the destination, there is an arrangement of food and drinks which is referred as ‘langar’. This is organised both at the formal as well as an informal level. Then arises the big problem!! Any guess? Yes. its disposing the waste generated.Classifying the waste generated, we can categorise it in two groups,
Solid Waste: Due to absence of proper disposal system, waste is dumped in the open. Because of low temperature and at high altitude the decomposition process is relatively low and all the waste, including food material and plastics keep accumulating. Many a times Amarnath Shivlingam isn’t visible as it is submerged in the sea of plastic bags of parshaad. Even the pious Baanganga is not spared. The devotees have polluted by dumping waste materials resulting it in becoming quite an eyesore.
Liquid Waste: Just like solid waste, there is no proper disposal of liquid waste also. People are forced to use open spaces and water bodies flowing by as toilets. Even though in Amarnath shrine, efforts have been made to recycle the liquid waste but the story isn’t the same everywhere. There is discoloration of the water bodies and pollution level have increased at an alarming level.
Defeating the real motive, humans have spoilt the pious and sacred religious destinations through reckless activities and irresponsible attitude.
The government as well as disciples should not contribute in destroying the natural beauty of these sacred places. Eco-friendly dumping options like compost pits and treatment plants should be in place and plastics in the form of bottles and tetra packs should be completely banned. In addition to this, recycling plants should be set up.
Looks like humans have forgotten that the earth does not belong to us. Instead, we belong to the earth. Gods will not descend from heavens to clean up the mess we have created. We only have to transform the hell into heaven again.
