Context:
• Three of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra — Gangotri, Kedarnath and Yamunotri — have been closed for winter due to heavy snowfall.
Key Highlights / Details
Closure Schedule
• Gangotri closed on Wednesday
• Kedarnath and Yamunotri closed on Thursday
• Badrinath to close in early November
Pilgrimage Statistics
• Over 75.7 lakh pilgrims visited Gangotri and 64.4 lakh visited Yamunotri this season
• Char Dham Yatra 2023 recorded highest footfall ever — 1.75 crore pilgrims
Challenges Faced This Season
• 159 deaths due to health issues
• 13 pilgrims killed in helicopter accidents
• Floods, landslides and rain impacted travel routes
Government Measures
• Uttarakhand Govt promotes winter Char Dham tourism
• Winter char dham includes shrines at lower altitudes
• Disaster Management & BRO improving connectivity
Relevant Prelims Points
• Char Dham shrines: Yamunotri (Yamuna), Gangotri (Ganga), Kedarnath (Lord Shiva), Badrinath (Lord Vishnu).
• Located in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand.
• Gangotri Glacier: source of Bhagirathi (Ganga).
Relevant Mains Points
• Link to religious tourism contributing to Indian economy.
• Issues: ecological vulnerability, unregulated construction, landslides.
• Way Forward: Sustainable pilgrimage model, early-warning systems, regulated carrying capacity.