Restrict Amarnath Yatra to min time period to save fragile environment: Shah
Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) statement today said, Amarnath Yatra should be restricting to a minimum time period keeping in view the fragile environment in the mountains.
“We’re not against the yatra but the aggressive way the pilgrimage is being conducted and its duration extended is totally unacceptable to us. We also reject the point that Amarnath Yatra boosts economy of the State at a large scale,” DFP said.A statement issued by DFP said, “In connection with restructuring the party in central Kashmir, DFP today convened a meet which was chaired by its chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah.
“During the meeting, Abdul Gani Dar was appointed District President, Ghulam Muhammad Maqdam as General Secretary, Abdul Majeed Wani as Organizer while as Gulzar Ahmad Parray, Jahangir Wani, Abdul Rashid, Altaf Raja, Fida Hussain, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Molvi Muhammad Afzal were appointed as members,” statement said.
“After nomination of representatives and members, party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah reminded all the participants of their responsibilities saying we’ve to be with our people at all times – best and worst as people’s sacrifices are assets for the freedom movement,” statement said.
Statement quoting Shah said, arrival of limitless pilgrims to a mountainous region largely affects the surroundings and leaves negative effects upon the overall environment of the State.
“Our water bodies and forests have been polluted to very much extent giving rise to health hazards including spread of hepatitis. Experts have cited the melting of glaciers and deforestation as reasons behind floods in the Valley,” statement quoting Shah further said.
Statement added, citing the example of Uttarakhand, Shah said we demand the yatra should be conducted on the same pattern: “short and limited”.
“But here, it is entirely contrary – limitless and timeless, which is unacceptable.We suggest all the concerned that they should (without any bias) restrict the time frame of yatra and limit the pilgrims lest we face some serious environmental repercussions,” statement quoting Shah said.
Statement added, a delegation of Democratic Freedom Party led by Shabir Ahmad Shah today visited the residence of senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Zargar to condole the sad demise of his father Ghulam Rasool Zargar
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