By Our Staff Reporter
Rudraprayag, 30 May: Managing the safety and health of the horses and mules operating during the Kedarnath Yatra has always been a challenge for the state administration. A lot of animal welfare organisations have been alleging exploitation of the horses and the mules and of negligence towards their health and wellbeing. There have been reports of horses and mules dying due to negligence but very few horses and mules operators are charged for cruelty under the law. Each year, the state animal husbandry department undertakes medical and physical checkup of horses and the mules.
This year, so far the Animal Husbandry Department has claimed to have conducted medical and physical checkup of 2,461 horses and mules during the first 20 days of the Yatra. Management of horse-mule operation on the Kedarnath walking route is one of the most difficult challenges. To ensure that the journey is not interrupted due to horses and mules, this year, on a rotation basis, a maximum of five thousand horses are being operated on the Yatra route at a time, out of which one thousand horses have been kept in reserve for carrying goods. To avoid traffic jam on the main road, the district administration has completely banned the resting of horses and mules along the main road. So far, 2,461 horses have been tested for health on the Yatra route and 685 horses and mules have been treated for being sick and injured. 146 horses and mules have been challaned and blocked for irregularities and violation of rules. Some horses and mules have been taken off duty for being unfit.
As per the guidelines issued this year, horses and mules can be stopped only at a distance of 50 meters from the main road of the Gaurikund-Kedarnath walking route. The horse-mule union is also following these rules, but some hawkers are parking horses and mules on the main road and near it, which creates a jam-like situation at the narrow places on the walking route and also causes dirt.
To ensure that the pilgrims do not face any such problem, the district administration is taking action to challan and ban horses and mules along with inspection. Along with this, challan and ban on horses and mules is also being imposed if horses and mules are found tied in the shed built for the pilgrims. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Ashish Rawat says that since the start of Kedarnath Yatra, a total of 2,461 horses and mules have been health checked on the Yatra route. 685 horses and mules have been treated for illness and injury, while 40 horses and mules have been found unfit and have been banned.
Unofficial sources claim that at least 18 horses and mules have already died during the Yatra and hence the Animal Husbandry department has not only to ensure the convenience of the devotees reaching Kedarnath Dham but also the safety and wellbeing of the horses and the mules. Many pilgrims complain of the maltreatment of horses and mules by their operators but rarely ever the complaints are taken seriously and action taken to prevent this.
