Small Water bottles, Snacks, Tobacco Sales Curbed on Manimahesh Yatra Route

Shimla, Aug 7: The sale of small water bottles, snack packets, cigarettes and other tobacco products has been prohibited along the pilgrimage route to Manimahesh Kailash peak in Himachal Pradesh to protect the region’s sensitive ecosystem, officials said on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, Mukesh Repswal, along with other officials inspected facilities for pilgrims along the route from Hadsar village to Dal Lake and Manimahesh and directed shopkeepers to cooperate in environmental conservation efforts.

The Manimahesh Kailash peak, situated at an altitude of 18,547 feet in Chamba district, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage involves a 14-km trek from Hadsar to Dal Lake and is officially scheduled to begin on August 17 and continue until the end of September. At present, around 60 trekkers and pilgrims are undertaking the journey daily.

Repswal reviewed arrangements including the pilgrimage route, security, drinking water, halting points, sanitation and waste management, and instructed officials to ensure better facilities for pilgrims.

Except on September 4 and 19, around 5,000 pilgrims will be permitted to undertake the yatra daily, subject to weather conditions, he said.

The administration has specifically prohibited the sale of small-sized water bottles and small snack packets along the route. The sale of bidis, cigarettes and other tobacco products has also been banned throughout the pilgrimage route.

Officials said the restrictions are aimed at curbing plastic waste, protecting local biodiversity and maintaining a clean and pollution-free environment in the Manimahesh Valley.

The decision comes after 15 people died along the circumambulation route last year following heavy rains. The Manimahesh Trust has decided to close the route to pilgrims from outside the state, while pilgrims from Lahaul using the parikrama route, residents of nearby Kugti village and people accompanied by experienced guides will be allowed.

Registration has been made compulsory for all pilgrims this year, officials said. (Agencies)