After ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims undertaking Amarnath yatra, the biggest concern of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board authorities is protecting the environment in an ecologically fragile region.

Anticipating a huge footfall of pilgrims this year, the Shrine Board authorities have permitted a large number of organisations to set up 'community kitchens' to feed pilgrims along the yatra route including base camps and at the cave shrine area of Amarnath.

Rough estimates suggested during the entire yatra period more than 1 lakh meals will be served to pilgrims, security personnel deployed along the yatra route, and sanitation workers deployed at different base/transit camps to ensure round-the-clock cleanliness daily.

Between Baltal and Domel, the Shrine Board authorities have permitted several langar committees to serve round-the-clock meals to pilgrims. Similarly, a large number of langars/bhandaras have been set up on the Pahalgam axis to serve the pilgrims.

In addition to dozens of refreshment points, lodgment centres have been set up between Lakhanpur and two base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam to cater to the basic needs of the pilgrims.

As per the advisory of the Shrine Board authorities, the pilgrims would be served healthy and nutritious food. No junk/greasy, oily food items such as snacks would be served to ensure fitness of the pilgrims.

A member of the Langar committee from Punjab which has set up at least five langars along the Yatra route said, most of the ration supplies have been stocked by them at the base camps and from there they receive regular supplies with the help of ponnywalas and porters deployed along the route.

To ensure the cleanliness of the area elaborate arrangements have been made by the Rural Development department in and around base camps.

Camp directors have been directed to make elaborate arrangements to protect the environment in the region. According to the duty roaster, the working hours have been divided into three shifts to ensure proper sanitation facilities and cleanliness.

The Rural Development Department is chiefly responsible for sanitation services.

The Rural Development Department has provided stationary and movable toilets for Amarnath yatra.

More than 200 dustbins have been provided between Baltal and Domel for garbage collection and segregation.

They have engaged different agencies for sanitation of  toilets and baths at Neelgrath helipad and on Baltal/Pahalgam axis consisting of camps at Baltal,Domel,Railpathri, Sangam,Holy Cave,Panjtarni along with tracks, Management of Sewage treatment plant at Baltal.

Likewise cleaning of camps at Nunwan, Chandanwari,Sheshnag and Langar sites at Chandanwari Pissu Top, Zojibal,Nagakoti,Wavbal and MG top have been handed over to the service providers.

Keeping in mind the ecology of the region arrangements have been made to ensure liquid and solid waste generated would be suitably treated after segregation.

"The liquid waste generated would be treated in systems such as retention ponds/lagoons to  remove FOG (Fat,oil, grease) to remove foul smell, suspended  solid waste and other such elements responsible for  increase in BOD level before it would be finally drained to the adjoining soakage pits.

The sewerage system at Holy cave  has been upgraded by way of construction of manholes and laying of Sewer Line at Holy Cave Camp

Sewerage System has been improved by way of construction of manholes and laying of sewer line at Panjtarni Camp as well.

Meanwhile in Jammu sanitation workers have been deployed by the Jammu Municipal Corporation  for waste collection and sweeping, cleaning of toilets, urinal and bathrooms, secondary transportation and wastewater management.