Revision as of 06:26, 15 December 2017

NGT orders

Amarnath is not a 'silent zone', clarifies NGT

December 14, 2017: The Times of India

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has clarified that it is not declaring Amarnath a 'silent zone' and devotees have to maintain silence only in front of the idol. Previously, the NGT declared it a 'silent zone' and prohibited religious offerings beyond the entry point.

Reiterating its previous day's order, the Tribunal asked the devotees to maintain a single file from the base camp leading up to the shrine. It also clarified that its order was meant to preserve the sanctity of the shrine by minimizing damage caused to it by 'adverse noise'.

"These directions are to maintain sanctity of the cave and to ensure no adverse noise impact on shivling. Silence restrictions will not apply on Arti and other rituals", it said.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had said the Amarnath Shrine Board should ensure that proper infrastructural facilities are provided to the pilgrims so that they are not deprived of a clear 'darshan', and the ecology of the area is maintained.

The NGT earlier said that declaring the area around the Amarnath cave shrine a 'silence zone' would be helpful in preventing avalanches and maintaining its pristine nature.

"Nobody would be permitted to carry anything from the stairs leading to the holy cave and everybody should be properly frisked at the entry point. From the point of stairs and the area inside the cave should be declared silence zone," the bench said.

The green panel ordered removal of iron grills in front of the ice stalagmite resembling the 'Shiva Linga' so that devotees could get a better view of it and said there should be no noise pollution near the sacred structure. It also restrained carrying of personal belongings including mobile phones beyond the last checkpoint and asked the shrine board to construct a place where pilgrims can keep their valuables.

The green panel also directed the committee of experts headed by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to submit an action plan on providing facilities to the pilgrims within three weeks.

Environment activist Gauri Maulekhi, on whose plea the directions were passed, welcomed the NGT order and termed it "progressive".

"The Amarnath cave is located in a delicate ecosystem. The directions would make the Amarnath Yatra safe and convenient for the devotees. This would protect the shrine from degradation and ensure it is protected for the coming generations. It is indeed a very good and progressive direction," Maulekhi told PTI.