The annual Amarnath Yatra this year turned into a model of eco-friendly pilgrimage, with the Jammu and Kashmir administration and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board ensuring a zero-landfill and plastic-free trek for over four lakh devotees.
Officials said about 11.67 metric tonnes of waste was generated daily during the Yatra, of which 100% was processed through composting and recycling. A network of 1,016 twin-bin stations, 65 garbage collection vehicles, and nearly 1,300 SafaiMitras maintained cleanliness across lodgement centres, langar sites and Yatra camps.
More than 1,600 mobile toilets with QR-code based feedback systems were installed along the route, drawing over 20,000 responses. All faecal sludge generated was treated at designated plants, they added.
In a strong push against single-use plastics, langars completely eliminated them, with over 15,000 cloth and jute bags distributed. Interactive drives like Plastic Lao, Thela Lejao and Bin It, Win It encouraged segregation and responsible disposal.
The “Green Pledge” campaign also saw participation from over 70,000 devotees, who committed to sustainable practices during the journey.