Not just securing the pilgrims but also the nature; CRPF to launch ‘Save Environment’ during Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, June 18: As the state of Jammu and Kashmir gears up to celebrate the Amarnath Yatra this season, the south Kashmir Himalayas will also witness a noble campaign launched by the CRPF jawans. Along with their primary duty of providing security, the CRPF will launch a ‘save environment’ campaign during the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Amarnath.

 

The annual yatra of 46-days is scheduled to begin from the twin routes the traditional Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shortest Baltal track in Ganderbal district on July 1 and will conclude on August 15, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. CRPF is part of the multi-security grid comprising Army, local police and other security forces to ensure smooth and incident-free yatra.

Jammu based Public Relations Officer of the paramilitary force Ashish Kumar Jha informed, “This year, CRPF is appealing pilgrims as well as the public in general to play their vital role in preserving the fragile environment especially along the yatra area.” He said the CRPF had prepared the hoardings and banners and will display these on prominent places along the yatra route, including Jammu Tawi railway station, airport, bus stands, various base camps and ‘langer’ (community kitchen) points before the yatra begins.

“It is our duty to safeguard nature and we expect the pilgrims and locals to extend their cooperation and play their role in maintaining the cleanliness of the mountains, rivers and streams,” Jha said.

He said the hoardings will be in both English and Hindi to convey a powerful message for the need to preserve the nature by avoiding plastic and polythene and use environment-friendly material and dustbins to dispose off the waste in a proper manner. Besides other security agencies, the officer said the CRPF is deployed predominantly for the safe and smooth conduct of yatra.

Meanwhile, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma said the administration is fully geared up for the yatra and has made necessary arrangements for the pilgrims like medical services, banking facilities and food court.