By Our Staff Reporter
Uttarkashi, 29 Apr: With the Char Dham Yatra beginning tomorrow, over 4,300 horse and mule operators have been pressed into service to provide services along the Kedarnath and Yamunotri walking routes. More than 8,000 horses and mules have been registered for the pilgrimage, with provisions made for hot water and rest facilities along the route to ensure the well-being of the horses and the mules. The Char Dham Yatra plays a crucial role in supporting livelihoods for hotel-lodge operators, transport providers, and horse and mule operators.
Pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath Dham need to undertake an 18-km trek from Gaurikund, leading many to avail of horse and mule services. This year, 2,493 operators have registered more than 5,000 horses and mules for the route. The Animal Husbandry Department has issued fitness certificates after health screenings and has established veterinary hospitals at Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Lynchauli, and Kedarnath, staffed with five doctors and seven para-vets. Hot water has been arranged at 13 locations along the route.
For Yamunotri Dham, more than 3,700 horses and mules have been registered. A temporary veterinary hospital has been set up at Jankichatti for medical assistance, examinations, and vaccinations. The facility is staffed by four veterinarians, four livestock extension officers, and two livestock assistants. Six geysers have also been installed along the travel route for additional support.
To streamline bookings, five pre-paid counters have been established at Sonprayag, Gaurikund, Bhimbali, Lichauli, and Rudra Point for Kedarnath, while the District Panchayat has set up a pre-paid counter at Jankichatti for Yamunotri. The horse and mule operators for Yamunotri are being provided numbered jackets, with only one journey permitted per day.
Commenting on this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami observed that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure a comfortable experience for devotees, including provisions for road transport, heli services, and horse-mule facilities. He emphasised that only fully healthy horses and mules would be permitted for the pilgrimage, with their health monitored along the travel route.
