Uttarakhand High Court Calls for SOP Revision to Ease Char Dham Yatra, Prevent Animal Cruelty
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to revise its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in order to address the ongoing chaos during the Char Dham Yatra and curb cruelty towards animals along the pilgrimage routes.
The निर्देश came during a joint hearing of multiple Public Interest Litigations (PILs), including those filed by wildlife activist Gauri Maulekhi and religious leader Ajay Gautam, who raised serious concerns about mismanagement and animal welfare issues at key pilgrimage sites.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay observed that the existing SOPs are inadequate to handle the scale of the yatra and ensure humane treatment of animals, particularly those used for transport in difficult terrains.
The court emphasized the urgent need to streamline pilgrimage management to ensure a smoother and safer experience for devotees undertaking the sacred Char Dham Yatra. At the same time, it underscored the importance of enforcing stricter measures to prevent animal cruelty, which has been repeatedly flagged during previous yatras.
Additionally, the bench instructed the government to seriously consider suggestions put forward by Gauri Maulekhi, including the establishment of veterinary hospitals and medical aid facilities for animals along the yatra routes. Such measures, the court noted, would significantly improve animal welfare and reduce suffering during the pilgrimage season.
The matter remains under the court’s scrutiny, with further directions expected as the state prepares for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra.
