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India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand Govt transfers 25 IAS, 12 PCS officers
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 11 (ANI): In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Uttarakhand government transferred 25 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 12 Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers. The decision was taken on Saturday by the Uttarakhand government. Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra began in Uttarakhand, and over four lakh devotees visited the state during the first nine days of the yatra. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami acknowledged and welcomed the large number of devotees visiting the four Dhams on Saturday and reassured the public of the safety measures ensured by the government. 'Every year, a large number of devotees visit Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra,' the chief minister said, adding, 'Our government is continuously working to make the journey smooth, safe and well organised.' The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. Earlier on Tuesday, a 24-hour ban was enforced on the usage of horses and mules in the Kedarnath Yatra, an official said on administration took the following reported deaths of some horses and mules here. Yesterday, eight horses and mules died, while today, six of them died. We wanted to ascertain the reason behind it. Tomorrow, a team from the Centre will also come to check the reason for deaths...' said BVRC Purushottam, Secretary, Animal Husbandry (Uttarakhand). Additionally, CM Dhami, on May 3, asserted that the safe travel of the devotees at the Kedarnath Temple is the state government's top priority. The government has provided quick health facilities to the devotees, specialist doctors have been deployed along with the expansion of health services. Rudraprayag district is very sensitive from the disaster point of view, so a separate mobile network has been established in the district. The devotees arriving for the darshan of Baba Kedar in Kedarpuri will now have free Wi-Fi. The devotees have expressed happiness over this and expressed gratitude to the government and the district administration. (ANI)
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Horse, mule deaths on Kedarnath route during Char Dham Yatra prompt 24-hour ban; spark animal welfare concerns
DEHRADUN: Days after the Char Dham Yatra began on April 30, the deaths of at least 20 horses and mules on the Kedarnath route have raised serious concerns over animal welfare, prompting authorities to impose a 24-hour ban on equine operations. The fatalities occurred swiftly after the beginning of the pilgrimage season, raising immediate concerns about animal welfare. Although the government has confirmed only 16 deaths, the incident has sparked widespread worry. Dr BVRC Purushottam, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, rushed to Rudraprayag following the reports and held a review meeting with the district administration. Speaking to this newspaper, Dr Purushottam confirmed the reason behind the temporary halt. "The Animal Husbandry Department has taken this decision following complaints of the Equine Influenza virus in the animals," he said. Pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, including senior citizens and those with difficulty walking, often rely on horses and mules to navigate the steep mountain climbs. Dr Purushottam provided an update on the situation concerning equines on the route, including screening efforts and planned investigations into recent deaths. Secretary Purushottam further said, "A team is coming from the Government of India. Since April 4, we have screened 16,000 horses and mules. In 26 days of sero sampling, 152 of these have been found positive. The cause of death for the horses will be known after the team from the Government of India arrives and investigates."
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Mule deaths on Kedarnath trek prompt government inquiry
New Delhi In a tragic turn of events, 14 mules have died on the Kedarnath trek in the first three days of the Char Dham Yatra, prompting the Uttarakhand government to take immediate action. The State has called in an expert team from the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, to investigate the cause of the deaths and prevent further incidents. In an effort to contain the potential spread of infection among the animals, the State government announced the suspension of mule services on the Yatra route on May 6. The decision comes after the deaths of eight horses on May 3 and six on May 4, raising serious concerns among both pilgrims and animal welfare activists. Speaking to The Hindu, BVRC Purushottam, Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department, explained that all horses and mules transporting pilgrims to the Kedarnath temple are being closely monitored. 'We are conducting thorough health checks on the animals to detect any signs of illness. Any animal showing nasal discharge will be immediately withdrawn from service,' he stated. Sources said investigations suggest that the deaths may be linked to equine influenza, a highly communicable disease. Earlier this year, cases of equine influenza were reported, leading to the screening of 16,000 horses and mules. However, while 152 animals tested positive in sero-sampling, their RTPCR tests for the virus returned negative results, leaving the cause of the deaths uncertain. Despite concerns over the potential spread of the disease, Purushottam clarified that the symptoms observed in the dead animals do not appear to align with typical equine influenza symptoms. He emphasised that the final analysis will be conducted by the expert team from the National Research Centre. 'While the deaths are unusual, we do not intend to suspend the Yatra. We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both animals and pilgrims,' he affirmed. Historically, some mule deaths have been reported during the annual Yatra, with an average of four to five fatalities each year. However, this year's spike in numbers has raised alarm. Similar concerns were raised in 2010, when the Yatra was temporarily halted following a rise in mule deaths. Authorities have reassured that the Yatra will continue this year, albeit with enhanced safety measures. The Char Dham Yatra, which began on April 28 with the opening of the Gangotri temple, saw the portals of the Kedarnath temple open on May 2. Over 4,300 horse and mule operators, along with 8,000 animals, have registered for the pilgrimage routes to Kedarnath and Yamunotri, with many pilgrims opting for animal transport due to the arduous 18-km trek from Gaurikund to the Kedarnath temple. With the suspension of mule services, the State authorities are closely monitoring the situation and remain committed to ensuring that the Yatra proceeds safely, with all necessary precautions in place to protect both pilgrims and animals.
