Mountains, wildflower pastures, waterfalls, verdant slopes - amid all this natural beauty, plastic waste and other garbage is literally killing the rich Himalayan ecosystem.
This crime against nature is being committed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, as per news agency ANI. Devotees are currently rushing to the hill state for the Char Dham Yatra.
Experts are calling for more sensitivity among tourists and pilgrims, citing the 2013 flood disaster in Kedarnath. Prof MS Negi, HoD - Geography at Garhwal Central University said, "Plastic waste at a sensitive location like Kedarnath doesn't only have an impact on faith, but also on safety. Plastic will lead to quick erosion after rains. Quick erosion leads to big landslides. Therefore, it is very dangerous. Secondly, a source of faith should be kept clean. When plastic garbage covers religious places, then national and international tourists and pilgrims will be affected."
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Prof MC Nautiyal, director of HAPPRC at the university told ANI, "Tourism pressure on Kedarnath, Badrinath etc has increased a lot. If tourist pressure increases, then throughout the route, plastic and other types of garbage builds up. It can be taken to deeper forest areas by natural elements. There aren't any proper sanitation facilities there. That's why waste usually ends up in nature."