Pilgrims making use of water ATM enroute Amarnath yatra.
Annual Amarnath Yatra
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, July 28: With the aim of making the annual Amarnath Yatra plastic-free, the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) has implemented several measures this year, including the introduction of ‘Sustainable Kits,’ resulting in significant on-ground changes.
According to the details, under this initiative, the focus is on equipping pilgrims for sustainability by providing them with ‘Sustainable Kits’, setting up water ATMs and installing toilets along the yatra route.
Officials said that the kits have been designed by ‘Swaaha,’ a startup from IIT Indore, and so far, 50,000 free kits have been distributed, replacing an estimated 3.5 million single-use plastic items.
These kits consist of a steel water bottle, glass, spoon, bamboo toothbrush, cloth hand towel and cotton bag.
Further, strategically placed water ATMs at Yatri Niwas encourage pilgrims to refill their bottles, reducing dependence on single-use plastic water bottles.
Under the campaign, Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary, HUDD, has spearheaded a comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign in this regard.
The multi-pronged approach, officials said, aims to influence pilgrims’ behavior throughout their journey, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility.
This initiative, it has been stated, is projected to eliminate around 3.5 million disposable bottles. The department has also installed thousands of permanent and temporary toilets along the yatra route.
Additionally, an awareness campaign launched in this regard includes spreading the message through inspirational hoardings, banners, and posters at city entrances and exits.
IIT Indore’s startup Swaaha is also playing a crucial role by interacting with pilgrims directly in each ULB, and through a digital intervention that includes a dedicated Yatramitra.app, which provides essential information, weather updates, emergency helplines, and a platform for feedback.
Officials have observed positive behavioral changes among pilgrims, evidenced by a visible decrease in waste along the route.
They stated that providing 50,000 sustainable kits is estimated to prevent between 2.1 million and 3 million single-use plastic items from entering the environment.
The actual impact, officials noted, could be greater if single-use plastic usage was higher than estimated or if the kits have a cascading effect on reducing plastic consumption beyond the Yatra.
The significant reduction in plastic waste due to the campaign, officials said, will have multiple positive impacts, such as reduced landfill burden, promotion of sustainable practices, encouragement of reusable alternatives, and enhancement of J&K’s image as a responsible and environmentally conscious region, attracting eco-conscious tourists.
Additional factors include the durability and reusability of the kit components, the potential for recycling or proper disposal of the kits at the end of their lifecycle, and the long-term impact of the initiative on pilgrims’ behavior.
Notably, the Commissioner Secretary HUDD, Mandeep Kaur, has been working with her team, including Rahul Yadav, JMC Commissioner, Dr. Owais, SMC Commissioner, Puneet Sharma, Director Jammu ULB, Mathora Masoom, Director Kashmir ULB and Sameer Sharma, CEO of Swaaha.
Officials stressed that the campaign has transformed the yatra into a model for sustainable events across India, highlighting that this year’s yatra is setting a new benchmark for responsible tourism in the country.
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