Choppers for pilgrims to Kedarnath shrine destroying the eco-system of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

The chopper services for pilgrims to Kedarnath shrine poses a risk to the eco-system in the region and affects the Kedarnath Sanctuary which is home to exotic flora and fauna. Many of the pilgrims want to avoid the 16-Km trek to visit the shrine in Rudraprayag district and go in for the chopper services.
This has been reported in zeenews.india.com dated 24 August 2015.

In the opinion of NGO Doaba Paryavaran Samiti, helicopter operations in the region for religious tourism has "seriously disturbed the eco-system and fauna of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary". Hence, it has expressed concern over the "looming threat" to flora and fauna in the eco-sensitive Wildlife Sanctuary.
It seems endangered species like musk deer and Himalayan Tahr (like wild goats) have abandoned their habitat. The noise from the low- flying helicopters has affected the breeding of these endangered species.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has, therefore, sought responses from the Environment and Forests Ministry, the state government National Board of Wild Life and others, on this issue.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)


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