After Chositi, Vaishno Devi tragedies, call for safer pilgrimage management

Following the recent incidents of flash floods and landslides that claimed over 100 lives in the Jammu region, there is a pressing need for stricter regulation and monitoring of religious yatras, particularly during the monsoon season. On August 14, a flash flood struck Chositi village in Kishtwar during the Machail Mata Yatra, leading to the deaths of many pilgrims. So far, 65 bodies have been recovered, while 32 people remain missing and are feared dead. Just two weeks later, on August 26, a landslide on the Vaishno Devi track in Reasi district claimed the lives of 34 more pilgrims.

Although minor incidents during pilgrimages have occurred in the past, such large-scale tragedies occurring in close succession are rare. These back-to-back disasters underscore the vulnerability of these sacred journeys and highlight the urgent need for a scientific evaluation of the routes and regions where these shrines are located.

Climate change and development

The fragile Himalayan region of Jammu has been showing increasing signs of stress due to ongoing development and the effects of climate change. The widening of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has loosened soil in the Ramban district, leading to frequent landslides. Throughout August, flashfloods in Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, and other districts claimed numerous lives.

The recent tragedies in Kishtwar and Reasi have reignited concerns about the safety of pilgrims. What began as journeys of faith ended in heartbreaking tragedy. The high mountains of Jammu are not only geographically challenging but also ecologically sensitive, and they play host to multiple annual pilgrimages. Events like the Budha Amarnath Yatra in Poonch and the Sudh Mahadev and Pingla Mata pilgrimages in Udhampur attract lakhs of devotees. Each of these routes passes through terrain that is prone to landslides, flashfloods, and sudden weather shifts. The melting of glaciers, cloudbursts, and increasingly unpredictable monsoon patterns have further amplified the risks of natural disasters in these areas.

With a growing number of pilgrims visiting these sites—Vaishno Devi alone receives over one crore pilgrims annually—the stress on the fragile ecosystem has increased manifold. The rapid development of infrastructure to accommodate this influx has taken a toll on the natural environment. The situation is now critical, and strict regulation of these pilgrimages is essential to ensure the safety of devotees and the preservation of these ecologically fragile zones.

Need for regulation, safety measures

Limiting the number of pilgrims visiting sensitive areas, conducting regular safety audits of pilgrimage routes and enforcing environmental safeguards are necessary steps that authorities must implement without delay. Equally important is the need for local administrations to take the advisories issued by the Meteorological Department seriously, especially during the monsoon months.

Future infrastructure development in these regions must be based on scientific planning, with proper environmental assessments to minimise ecological damage. Blind expansion without regard to the terrain and weather risks can no longer be justified.

While faith and religious devotion are deeply ingrained in our culture, they must not come at the cost of human lives. Ensuring the safety and well-being of pilgrims through thoughtful planning, regulation, and monitoring is not just a policy issue—it is a moral imperative.