Dehradun: Former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has expressed concern over the death of horses and mules operated for the convenience of passengers on the Kedarnath Yatra route. He called up Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj and urged the government to intervene in this regard. Tourism Minister Maharaj and Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna have taken cognizance of this.
If the operator dies due to negligence, then the insurance amount will be stopped
, according to Bahuguna, now 50 percent horses and mules will be operated daily in Kedarnath Yatra. Along with this, instructions have also been given that if any horse-mule operator ignores the rules, then an FIR will be lodged against him. Not only this, if a horse-mule dies due to the negligence of the operator, then his insurance amount will also be stopped.
Tourism Minister immediately spoke to the Minister of Animal Husbandry
Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj immediately held talks with Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna after former minister Maneka Gandhi expressed concern. He insisted on intervention in order to control the number of horses and mules on the Kedarnath Yatra route.
Along with this, the Maharaj directed Secretary Tourism Dilip Jawalkar that in the case of horse-mules operating in Kedarnath, such arrangements should be ensured that after having food, the horses and mules get rest for at least three-four hours, so that on the journey route. Their numbers can be controlled. He said that the death of horses and mules should be stopped.
The Tourism Minister Maharaj also instructed the Secretary Tourism that Kedarnath should not have a crowd of devotees more than the carrying capacity. In view of the increasing number of pilgrims, such arrangements should be made that the devotees should be gradually sent towards the Dhams. He said that if the crowd is less, then the pressure on the horses and mules will also be less. It is also our responsibility to take care of silent animals.
Demand to make guideline for
horses and mules in Kedarnath Navotthan Society, hurt by the death of horses and mules in Kedarnath, has demanded the government to make guidelines for their operation and maintenance.
In a press conference at Uttaranchal Press Club on Friday, Nalini Taneja, president of the organization said that it takes four to five hours to travel from Gaurikund to Kedarnath by horses and mules. Horse-mule operators are not paying attention to the voiceless in the greed of money. He said that there is no water tank anywhere in this walkway. Extreme cold is also causing the death of horses and mules. He has demanded from the government that with tags on horses and mules, their medical checkup should be done every 15 days and hot water should be arranged for drinking. During this, Reena Semwal, Raj Suri, Saket Goyal etc. were present.
