CHARDHAM PILGRIMAGE TRAFFIC SURGE: A THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
-Jay Singh Rawat
The pilgrimage season for the Char Dhams of the Himalayas has concluded for this year, with millions of visitors having completed their journey to Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The gates of Badrinath are set to close on November 17th. By the end of the pilgrimages to these three Dhams, a staggering 46,34,448 pilgrims had visited, accumulating spiritual merit. However, while the impact of this massive influx on the delicate Himalayan environment is significant, an even more pressing concern is the growing traffic congestion in sensitive areas, particularly near the sources of the Ganga, such as Gangotri and Satopanth, where glaciers are rapidly receding. This excessive vehicular presence is directly contributing to both global and local temperature rise, which in turn is exacerbating climate change and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events and natural disasters.
Uttarakhand, home to some of the most sensitive parts of the Himalayas, is experiencing the most intense traffic buildup due to the Char Dham pilgrimage. The Himalayas, often referred to as Asia’s “water tower” and a climate regulator, span five countries and are crucial not only for India but also for the entire Asian continent. Therefore, the environmental concerns related to the Himalayas are not limited to just Uttarakhand but extend across national borders.
As of this year, 5,21,915 vehicles had already reached two of the four Dhams by the end of the pilgrimage season. The pollution from these vehicles, especially those reaching the higher altitudes of Badrinath, is having a direct impact on the rapidly retreating Satopanth and Gangotri glaciers. These glaciers, which serve as the source of the Ganga, are a subject of global concern due to their accelerated melting. Following the Kedarnath disaster, the number of pilgrims visiting the area has been setting new records every year. For instance, this year, the number of vehicles traveling to Kedarnath reached 1,87,590, a significant increase from the previous year’s 88,236.
Historically, when buses first started reaching Badrinath in 1968, only about 60,000 pilgrims would visit annually. Now, that number has soared to 1.3 million, with around 1.5 lakh vehicles making the journey in just six months. Similarly, when the motor road to Gangotri was built in 1969, only around 60,000 pilgrims would visit, but this year, the number had risen to 8,15,273 by November 3rd. In the 1960s and 70s, most pilgrims traveled by bus, with an average of 30 people per bus. However, the increasing trend of traveling by car is putting immense pressure on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The rising number of vehicles not only affects local ecology but is also linked to increasing incidences of extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods, and lightning strikes.
Experts argue that the pollution caused by vehicles in mountainous areas is four times greater than in the plains. In the plains, vehicles typically operate in higher gears, traveling at speeds of around 60 km/h, whereas in the hilly terrain, they operate in lower gears at speeds of only 20 km/h, emitting significantly more pollutants. The Char Dham journey begins at an altitude of 300 meters and reaches up to 3,133 meters at Badrinath and 3,042 meters at Gangotri. The excessive traffic in these areas is accelerating the retreat of the Gangotri and Satopanth glaciers. This, in turn, is amplifying the effects of local and global warming, which is one of the primary drivers of environmental degradation in the region.
Vehicular pollutants Automotive vehicles emit several pollutants depending upon the quality of the fuel they consume and engine efficiency. The release of pollutants from vehicles also include fugitive emissions of the fuel and the source and level of these emissions depending upon the vehicle type, its maintenance, etc. The major pollutants released as vehicle/fuel emissions are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), photochemical oxidants, air toxins, namely benzene (C6H6), aldehydes, 1,3 butadiene (C4H6), lead (Pb), particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC), oxides of sulfur (SO2) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). While the predominant pollutants in petrol/gasoline-driven vehicles are hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, the predominant pollutants from diesel-based vehicles are Oxides of nitrogen and particulates.
Effects of Vehicular Pollutants on Human Health.
The vehicular emissions have damaging effects on both human health and ecology. There is a wide range of adverse health/environmental effects of the pollutants released from vehicles. The effects may be direct as well as indirect covering right from reduced visibility to cancers and death in some cases of acute exposure to pollutants, especially carbon monoxide. These pollutants are believed to directly affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In particular, high levels of Sulphur Dioxide and Suspended Particulate Matter are associated with increased mortality, morbidity and impaired pulmonary function. The pollutant-wise health effects are summarized below.
In conclusion, the increasing vehicular traffic to the Char Dhams is not only putting pressure on the local environment but also contributing significantly to global climate change. The delicate Himalayan ecosystem, with its glaciers, water sources, and biodiversity, is at a tipping point, and the environmental impact of this growing pilgrimage must be addressed before it’s too late.