Uttarakhand high court orders fresh review of SOPs to curb animal cruelty during Char Dham yatra

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand high court on Wed held a combined hearing on public interest litigations on the disorder prevailing during Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court on Wednesday heard a batch of public interest litigations on mismanagement during the Char Dham yatra and alleged cruelty to animals at pilgrimage sites, directing the state govt to revisit its standard operating procedures (SOPs).A division bench of Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay asked the govt to further amend the SOPs to curb atrocities against animals and make the yatra smoother for devotees. It also asked the state to consider a suggestion to set up veterinary hospitals along the routes for animals used during the pilgrimage.The state govt submitted that a revised SOP had already been issued to improve convenience and ensure animal care. However, the court said the SOP should be reviewed again to ensure no hardship to pilgrims or animals and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks.The PILs were filed by social worker Gauri Maulekhi, religious leader Ajay Gautam and environmentalist Anya Narayan Sharma, who argued that existing SOPs were not being effectively implemented. They sought the formation of a monitoring committee and better medical facilities for both pilgrims and animals.The petitioners highlighted that rising footfall during the Char Dham yatra has strained food and accommodation facilities and caused environmental damage. They urged that pilgrims, as well as horses and mules, be regulated in line with carrying capacity to prevent cruelty to animals, ensure timely access to facilities, and protect the environment.The petitioners highlighted that rising footfall during the yatra has strained food and accommodation facilities and caused environmental damage. They urged that pilgrims, as well as horses and mules, be regulated in line with carrying capacity to prevent cruelty to animals, ensure timely access to facilities, and protect the environment.They also called for strict compliance with directions issued by the state govt and the high court, saying effective implementation of SOPs was key to making the yatra safer and more manageable.