Amid raging wildfires, the tourism sector raises concerns ahead of Char-Dham pilgrimage and tourist season. Air services for Adi Kailash and Pithoragarh remained suspended in the last few days due to fire-induced haze. The cases of allergies and respiratory diseases are on the rise due to smoke and pollutants. According to the stakeholders, this grim situation can affect the influx of pilgrims and tourists in Uttarakhand.
Forest fire close to highway
Dehradun: With the onset of summer season in Uttarakhand, tourism industry in the state was all hopeful for business growth. But the several parts of Uttarakhand hills are hugely suffering from wildfires, it has become a cause of concern for the tourism industry in the state.
Adi Kailash helicopter and Pithoragarh flights remained suspended
Due to low visibility in wildfire affected zones, the air services to promote tourism in the state are put to a halt until the situation returns to normal. The Adi Kailash helicopter darshan service, along with flights to the Naini-Saini airport in Pithoragarh remained suspended for the last two-three days. Notably, the chopper services were initiated last month for an aerial darshan of the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. The visibility near the Pithoragarh airport and surrounding areas was reportedly less than 1,000 meters, which is much lower than 5,000 meters required for flights to operate.
Raise concern ahead of Char-Dham pilgrimage
The pilgrims registered for Char-Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand is soon to cross the number of 20 lakh, the raging wildfire incidents raising concerns among stakeholders that yatra could get affected if forest fires aren’t curbed in a timely manner. On Friday, a forest fire was reported in the Kedarnath forest division near Gopeshwar while another incident took place in Dunda range in Uttarkashi district. These ravaging forest fires close to Char-Dham shrines, raised an alarm for smooth operation of the yatra. Anand Shukla, Kedarnath priest, also expressed his concern, such incidents could raise the temperature in the valley causing discomfort to the pilgrims embarking on foot amid poor quality of air.
Smoke and pollutants are taking toll on people’s health
After multiple incidents of forest fire in the state, health issues are also raising their heads causing many troubles to the residents. The smoke and pollutants from the forest fires cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and other health problems. People living in affected areas are at risk of inhaling harmful particles, which can exacerbate existing health conditions. Chief medical officer (CMO) Chamoli, Dr Rajiv Sharma said, “We are receiving patients of allergy and respiratory diseases in increasing numbers every day. This situation is alarming because if forest fires are not controlled, it could definitely impact the health of people coming for Char-Dham pilgrimage. If this continues, Char-Dham pilgrims may refrain from traveling in this state”
It may impact Char-Dham pilgrimage in future
According to tour operators, there is no problem in present but in future forest fires may become a source of trouble if not curbed timely. Prashant Maithani who conducts Char-Dham yatra under his agency in Rishikesh, said, “The present situation doesn’t seem to affect the pilgrimage, but in future, it may affect the movement of vehicles on the yatra routes as wildfires are reaching to villages and places close to the roads. In the past, many times, the highways remained closed due to the forest fires.” Char-Dham yatra administration in-charge, Arvind Srivastava said, “We would definitely control these wildfire incidents before 10 May. After the CM’s order, all the agencies are on toes and we have employed more man-power so it may not affect smooth operation of yatra.”
