NGT sets up panel to probe kidney-related deaths in Odisha’s chromite mining belts
The committee will visit the sites in question and submit its report on an affidavit regarding the allegations made in the complaint letter within four weeks.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday clarified that it has put “no restrictions” on the chiming of bells or chanting of mantras inside the famed Amarnath shrine in a bid to preserve its eco sensitivity.
“There is no restriction on chanting of mantras, singing of bhajans inside Amarnath cave shrine,” the NGT said, a day after reports emerged that it had declared the Amarnath shrine a “silent zone”.
The news created massive outrage as several Hindu groups as well as the devotees slammed the tribunal and declared non-compliance.
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Located in the Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir, the shrine is visited by lakhs of pilgrims during the pilgrimage season in the monsoon.
The decision came following the tribunal’s earlier hearing when it suggested that the shrine be declared a silent zone to prevent avalanches and noise pollution.
The bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed officials to remove the iron rods and grilles installed inside the Amarnath cave so that pilgrims can get a better view of the shrine.
The bench directed the concerned authorities to ensure that mobile phones and food offerings like coconuts are not allowed inside the holy cave.
The Tribunal, which on November 15 appointed a committee to look at environment protection during the annual Amarnath Yatra, asked the authorities to ensure that the directions come into effect before January 18, the next date of hearing.
This year the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath shrine saw over 2.6 lakh pilgrims over 40 days between June 29 to August 7.
Over 200 stairs lead to the cave from the base camp sites. Pilgrims take two traditional routes of 14 km and 45 km to reach the shrine situated at 3,888 meters above sea level.
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