Nearly Three Lakh Fewer Pilgrims Visit Shrines in First Two Weeks of Yatra Compared to 2024
Dehradun, May 15 – The revered Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has recorded a sharp 31 per cent decline in pilgrim footfall during the first two weeks of this year’s pilgrimage season, compared to the same period in 2024, according to an analysis by the Dehradun-based environmental think tank SDC Foundation.Between April 30 and May 13, a total of 6,62,446 devotees visited the holy shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. This is significantly lower than the 9,61,302 pilgrims who made the journey between May 10 and May 23 last year, indicating a shortfall of 2,98,856 pilgrims.
India-Pakistan Tensions Blamed for Travel Hesitancy
Anoop Nautiyal, head of SDC Foundation, attributed the decline to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.“The military escalation between the two nations has impacted travel sentiment and inter-state pilgrim movement, particularly from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan,” Nautiyal stated.
He explained that the Char Dham Yatra is heavily reliant on group travel and inter-state mobility, making it particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.
Anticipated Recovery in Second Half of May
Despite the initial dip, Nautiyal expressed hope that the Yatra could still witness a revival as conditions stabilise.“Last year’s data shows that the yatra typically gains momentum during the second half of May and peaks in early June. If the geopolitical climate stabilises, we may still see a surge in arrivals,” he said.
Call for Proactive Government Measures
Nautiyal urged the Uttarakhand government to act swiftly to restore confidence among stakeholders and pilgrims. He pointed to the example of the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in Jammu and Kashmir, which launched awareness campaigns and upgraded on-ground facilities in response to a similar situation.“We need a similar proactive response in Uttarakhand. This concerns the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the Yatra,” he said.
Stakeholder Engagement and Long-Term Reforms
The SDC Foundation has called on the state to immediately engage with key stakeholders, including district administrations, temple boards, travel agencies, hoteliers, mule operators, vyapar mandals, and local groups to strengthen preparedness and enhance the pilgrim experience.“Pilgrimage management must not be reactive. Immediate decisions are necessary in light of the massive three-lakh dip in numbers,” Nautiyal emphasized.
Unimplemented Recommendations from 2024 Report
The foundation also reiterated the importance of implementing suggestions made in its 2024 report titled "Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra: Pathways to Pilgrimage – Data, Insights, Challenges and Opportunities".“We had recommended clear protocols on carrying capacity, crowd regulation, environmental safeguards, and real-time communication systems. Unfortunately, many remain unaddressed,” Nautiyal concluded.
The report underscores the urgency for strategic planning and proactive governance to safeguard both the spiritual sanctity and economic viability of the Char Dham Yatra.