The State Government is planning to facilitate skiing and other recreational activities on the slopes of Kedarnath if it snows adequately. While the officials tout this and other measures planned to encourage winter pilgrimage and tourism in Uttarakhand, noted environmentalists have lambasted the State Government stating that the plan for skiing and recreational activities at Kedarnath in the winters is not only an unscientifically drafted notion but also amounts to violating the sacred.
Stressing that consumerism and mass tourism culture had exacerbated the destruction at Kedarnath in the 2013 disaster, they warn that if executed, the plan will have a detrimental effect on the socio-cultural and environmental aspects.
It is pertinent to mention here that as part of measures aimed at reconstruction and development of disaster affected areas-especially Kedarnath, the State plans to attract tourists to Kedarnath for skiing in December-January if its snows adequately.
While the shrine remains closed to the public during the winters, the Government wants to exploit the potential for adventure tourism in the area with activities like skiing and snow scootering among others.
Talking to The Pioneer, Chipko movement leader Chandi Prasad Bhatt said that he had not yet read about the government plan for skiing at Kedarnath. He said, “I don’t know the specifics of this plan but if such activities are being planned, the Government should think it over very carefully. A place like Kedarnath, with its religious and spiritual association, should not be altered in such a manner,” he said.
Regarding the recreational activities planned at Kedarnath noted environmentalist and author Vandana Shiva told The Pioneer, “This is a violation of the Sacred. It was the consumerism and mass tourism culture which aggravated the devastation in Kedarnath in 2013. This is a recipe for more disasters. Kedarnath is a pilgrimage site and recreational plans are equivalent to allowing destructive activities inside a temple. We ought to respect the sacredness of our sacred sites- our Bhu Tirthas and not reduce them to places to be destroyed and consumed,” she stressed.
Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) founder Anil Prakash Joshi said that without a scientific study and feasibility trial, skiing in Kedarnath is a questionable notion. Why doesn’t the government improve the condition of Auli which has been suffering from neglect since SAF Winter Games were held here in 2010IJ The government should focus on improving the condition of Auli for winter sports instead of facilitating skiing at Kedarnath. Instead of planning activities that may cause distortion, the government should be concerned about the welfare of people settled around Kedarnath,” he stressed.