Mules and horses are a major help for the pilgrims during the yatra season and a good mode of business for their owners. But this year, several horse and mule owners are returning empty-handed as they have been struck by tragedy. Many of them have lost their livelihood as hundreds of their animals were washed away by the floods .
Talking to The Pioneer Mohammad Shahzad from Nazimabad, Uttar Pradesh, who came to Uttarakhand with nine horses said that he and his friends had gone to Kedarnath with 105 horses. However, several people and horses were washed away by the floods. Now they were going back home with just 78 horses.
Another horse owner, Salman said that they have been visiting the location for the past 20 years. Every year they returned home after making good money, but this year he was returning empty-handed as he had lost his belongings and his mode of income to the nature’s fury.
Teary-eyed Nazim who had come with seven horses said that before commencing his journey he had a hope that he would return with enough money to repair the ceiling of his house, but he is now returning with just two horses, as three of his horses were washed way.Nazim said that several organisations and local residents are operating community kitchens which are helping many like him in surviving.