The People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday attributed climate change and environmental degradation to the early melting of the naturally formed ice Lingam at the Amarnath cave shrine, located in south Kashmir's Himalayas.
Iltija Mufti's statement on environmental factors
PDP leader Iltija Mufti stated that only a week into the Amarnath Yatra, the naturally formed Lingam has already melted. She pointed to several factors, including deforestation, illegal mining, waste mismanagement, and dangerous depletion of water levels. "Climate change from mindlessly axing trees, illegal mining, waste mismanagement and dangerous depletion of water levels are major factors. Unfortunately, environment has become a casualty in Kashmir's politics," she said.
Call for sustainable tourism policy
Mufti emphasized the need for a long-term sustainable environmental and tourism policy, drawing a comparison with Bhutan. "For our mountains, rivers and glaciers to survive, we need a long-term sustainable environmental and tourism policy — much like Bhutan. Otherwise, Kashmir will cease to exist," she added.
In a separate statement, Mufti urged the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to consider that the site itself is precariously situated inside a cave surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers. She described it as "a site of monumental significance for Hindus which has existed since the 12th century." However, she noted a "sad acceleration of certain measures such as unnecessary construction, massive footfall of devotees and an ambitious ropeway project that could wreak havoc here."
Tradition of Kashmiriyat and Yatra
Mufti affirmed that the Amarnath Yatra is deeply intertwined with the ethos of Kashmiriyat and that yatris are always welcome. "But for this tradition to survive and continue, I hope Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board treats this revered spot with more mindfulness and greater consideration. Lest we forget there was a time when the naturally formed snow sculpture lasted well beyond the yatra duration itself," she concluded.
The Amarnath Yatra, which began earlier this month, has seen a significant number of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine despite the early melting of the ice Lingam.
