Shri Amarnathji Yatra: 7592 Yatris pay obeisance, 4500 more leave Baltal for Holy Cave     Yatris paying their obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji. Srinagar, June 17 - 7592 Yatris paid their obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji yesterday on the first day of the commencement of the annual pilgrimage. According to a Spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, another batch of over 4500 Yatris left from the Baltal Base Camp for the Holy Cave this morning to perform darshan at the sanctum sanctorum ... more

Health Minister takes stock of Shri Amarnathji Yatra arrangements at Pahalgam-Chandenwari Srinagar, June17 – Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma has asked the agencies designated for organizing Shri Amarnathji Yatra to gear up their efforts to facilitate the Yatra from the traditional Pahalgam-Chandenwari route at the earliest. The Minister urged government departments to dump all essential material including foodgrains, medicines, firewood, kerosene oil, cooking gas cylinders and DG sets for the convenience of the yatries at the identified locations. The Minister said this while reviewing the Yatra arrangements at a meeting of officers and representatives of SASB and other agencies held at Pahalgam and Chandenwari today ... more

Trekking Expedition from Gulmarg to Bonyiar Srinagar, June 17 – In order to set the trend for promotion of adventure sports in the State, Tourism Department organized a two-day 25-km-long trekking expedition from Gulmarg to Bonyiar, Uri, in which a group of 21 trekkers participated.     Trekking Expedition at the Hill Resort of Gulmarg led by members of J&K Tourism Department, Kashmir. The expedition was undertaken to revive trekking events and other adventure sports as the same has tremendous potential in the State. The trekking expedition, which started from Buta Pathri, 8 km ahead of Gulmarg, passed through Nigli nallah, meadows, valleys, streams and many other places of breathtaking beauty to culminate at Balani, Bonyiar. The Army authorities were also involved in facilitation of the expedition as some of the areas have proximity with LOC. The group, led by Joint Director and Deputy Director, Tourism, comprised members of the ski patrol team, adventure tour operators, representatives from banking fraternity, University of Kashmir and Wildlife Trust of India. The trek proved beneficial from adventure and research point of view as the trekkers were able to see distinctive flora and fauna and explore the adventure niche of the Valley ... more

Shri Amarnathji Yatra: 7592 Yatris pay obeisance,
4500 more leave Baltal for Holy Cave

Srinagar, June 17 - 7592 Yatris paid their obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji yesterday on the first day of the commencement of the annual pilgrimage.

According to a Spokesperson of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, another batch of over 4500 Yatris left from the Baltal Base Camp for the Holy Cave this morning to perform darshan at the sanctum sanctorum.

The Spokesperson of the Board further stated that keeping in view the adverse weather conditions, no batch of Yatris left fromJammu today for the Baltal Base Camp. This would enable the Board to first clear the sizeable number of stranded pilgrims at Baltal and various other Camps in the Valley.

The Pahalgam route is not through yet as this track is still under heavy snow at several places between Sheshnag, Mahagunas Top and Panjtarni. At the request of the Board, a 21-member team of the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering left Pahalgam yesterday for conducting reconnaissance of the entire track. This team is likely to return by 20th June and shall submit a comprehensive report to the Board regarding the feasibility of opening the track to the pilgrims. In this background, the Spokesperson has advised all pilgrims who had registered for the traditional Chandanwari-Holy Cave route and who have not left for J&K to please wait for a further advisory from the Board and commence their journey to J&K only after the track is declared safe and opened for the Yatra.

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Health Minister takes stock of Shri Amarnathji Yatra arrangements at Pahalgam-Chandenwari

Srinagar, June17 – Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma has asked the agencies designated for organizing Shri Amarnathji Yatra to gear up their efforts to facilitate the Yatra from the traditional Pahalgam-Chandenwari route at the earliest. The Minister urged government departments to dump all essential material including foodgrains, medicines, firewood, kerosene oil, cooking gas cylinders and DG sets for the convenience of the yatries at the identified locations.

The Minister said this while reviewing the Yatra arrangements at a meeting of officers and representatives of SASB and other agencies held at Pahalgam and Chandenwari today.

The Minister took stock of the facilities at the Nunwan camp at Pahalgam and asked the authorities to ensure adequate accommodation, safe drinking water, eatables and proper sanitation in and around the camp. He issued specific instructions to the security agencies to keep close vigil on the situation in view of the prevailing weather conditions and ensure safety and comfort of the pilgrims. He also stressed for providing of proper information to the pilgrims about the Yatra particularly the weather update at various points including Yatri Niwas at Jammu and entry point at Lakhanpur as pilgrims not acquainted with the local conditions visit the state from different parts of the world.

The Minister also suggested for setting up of special teams comprising volunteers of Scouts and Guides, Civil Defence, Mountaineers, Doctors with necessary rescue material for tackling any emergency situation at vulnerable spots on the track. He asked the doctors and Para-medical staff to provide all possible medicares to the pilgrims during the Yatra period. He directed the Director Health Services, Kashmir to stock adequate quantity of essential drugs, oxygen cylinders at various spots enroute and personally monitors the medicare facilities for the pilgrims during the Yatra period.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag (Assistant Yatra Officer), Mr. Bashir Ahmed Khan briefed the Minister about the steps taken by the administration for the Yatra. He apprised that all necessary arrangements have been made and, if weather improved, the Yatra can start on due date. He said that track clearing teams are making all out efforts to make the track through well before the scheduled date. He also said that all the agencies are working with close coordination to make the Yatra a success. Officers of various departments also gave details of the arrangements made for the Yatra.

The Minister also inspected the Pahalgam hospital and took stock of the medicare facilities available there. He asked the doctors to work with dedication and devotion and treat the patients with missionary zeal. He appreciated the efforts of the doctors and para-medics who are working under difficult conditions in the camps. He assured them special incentives for Yatra duty.
Earlier, the Minister inspected Dara Shiko Garden at Bijbehara, Floriculture Garden at Akad Aishmuqam, Poshwan Park at Pahalgam and took stock of the facilities available there. He asked the Director Floriculture, Kashmir to create more facilities for the tourists and locals in the gardens. He suggested proper landscaping and creation of water bodies to attract more and more visitors in the gardens. He also asked for utilizing idle space in the parks with horticulture, ornamental and medicinal plants. He asked the Director, Indian System of Medicine (ISM) to coordinate with the Floriculture Department and suggest them about such plants in these parks.

Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed, Director Indian System of Medicines (ISM), Dr. Abdul Kabir, Director Floriculture, Kashmir, Dr. G.N.Naqash, Chief Medical Officer, Anantnag, Chief Horticulture Officer, Anantnag and officers of the civil and police administration also accompanied the Minister.

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Trekking Expedition from Gulmarg to Bonyiar

Srinagar, June 17 – In order to set the trend for promotion of adventure sports in the State, Tourism Department organized a two-day 25-km-long trekking expedition from Gulmarg to Bonyiar, Uri, in which a group of 21 trekkers participated.

The expedition was undertaken to revive trekking events and other adventure sports as the same has tremendous potential in the State. The trekking expedition, which started from Buta Pathri, 8 km ahead of Gulmarg, passed through Nigli nallah, meadows, valleys, streams and many other places of breathtaking beauty to culminate at Balani, Bonyiar. The Army authorities were also involved in facilitation of the expedition as some of the areas have proximity with LOC.

The group, led by Joint Director and Deputy Director, Tourism, comprised members of the ski patrol team, adventure tour operators, representatives from banking fraternity, University of Kashmir and Wildlife Trust of India.
The trek proved beneficial from adventure and research point of view as the trekkers were able to see distinctive flora and fauna and explore the adventure niche of the Valley.

The department, which had earlier sponsored a trekking expedition of S. P. College to Duksum and Phambar, intends to conduct more such events in the Valley to restart trekking and other adventure sports by involving college and university students.

“The department is keen to involve trekking and hiking clubs in reviving adventure sports in the State. Trekking as a sport also helps students and youth to imbibe emerging concerns of ecology and environment,” said Deputy Director, Tourism, Mahmood Ahmad Shah.

Tourism Department is working cohesively to promote adventure sports which have great potential in the State.

Click here to read more information on the Hill Resort of Gulmarg.