With the closing of the sacred portals of Badrinath, the revered Himalayan shrine, the annual pilgrimage to the four sacred shrines of the Himalayas has concluded this month. From May 10 to November 17, more than 47.87 lakh pilgrims from across India visited Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri, seeking spiritual rewards. However, the environmental impact of such large crowds on the ecologically fragile Himalayas poses long-term risks, not just for the Uttarakhand Himalayan region but for the entire Gangetic plains of India. Adverse climatic impacts and extreme weather events are some of the repercussions expected as the Himalayan ranges are not only the water tower of Asia but also the regulator of the weather of Asia. 

The Himalayan ecosystem suffers more damage from the surge in vehicles than from human footfall, and the increasing number of vehicles visiting Uttarakhand’s four shrines is going up at an alarming rate. This year, 540,440 vehicles traveled close to or directly to these pilgrimage sites, emitting pollutants that affected glaciers like Gangotri and Satopanth. Being Asia’s water tower and a climate regulator connected to five countries, the ecological balance of the Himalayas has a far-reaching impact. Therefore, rather than encouraging an increase in vehicles in sensitive areas, strict regulation is essential. 

Millions of Vehicles Scaling the Himalayas 

By the time the portals of Badrinath closed, a staggering 540,440 vehicles had carried pilgrims to all four Himalayan shrines. The pollutants emitted, especially by those directly reaching Badrinath and Gangotri, have inevitably impacted the nearby groups of Satopanth and Gangotri glaciers.  

While Kedarnath annually sets new records for pilgrim footfall, this year also saw a record-breaking number of vehicles heading to the Kedarnath valley—187,590, compared to 88,236 last year. Similarly, 165,703 vehicles reached Badrinath by the end of the pilgrimage season. According to ISRO reports, this valley is among the most landslide-prone regions in India and is situated along the Main Central Thrust (MCT), making the area more earthquake-prone as well. Overloading these fragile areas with excessive human activity is highly perilous. 

Visible Impact of Toxic Fumes on the Himalayas 

The record reveals that on completion of motor road in 1968, when buses first reached Badrinath, approximately 60,000 pilgrims visited annually. Today, this number exceeds 1.3 million, with over 1.50 lakh vehicles reaching Badrinath in just six months. Similarly, Gangotri saw 8,15,273 pilgrims and 88,236 vehicles by November 3 this year. In earlier years, most pilgrims traveled by buses, with an average bus carrying 30 passengers. However, now, smaller vehicles carrying as few as five passengers are common, significantly increasing the vehicular burden. This has adversely affected the Himalayan ecosystem, contributing to a rise in extreme weather events such as cloudbursts, flash floods, and lightning strikes, which are now occurring with greater frequency. 

Vehicle Pollution Is Amplified in Mountainous Areas 

Environmental experts estimate that vehicle pollution in mountainous regions is four times higher than in plains. While vehicles in plains typically operate in third or fourth gear at an average speed of 60 km/h, they climb mountain roads in first or second gear, averaging just 20 km/h. To illustrate, the Char Dham Yatra starts at Rishikesh, located 300 metres above sea level, and climbs to Gangotri (3,042 meters) and Badrinath (3,133 meters). This heavy vehicular traffic directly impacts glaciers such as Gangotri and Satopanth, intensifying both local and global warming. 

Harmful Gases Emitted by Vehicles 

Vehicle emissions consist of a mixture of harmful gases and particulates. According to a study published in the February issue of Science Journal, these include nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone, along with particulates like organic and elemental carbon, lead, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Diesel-powered vehicles are the largest emitters of black carbon, a particulate matter formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. Black carbon absorbs sunlight, heats the atmosphere, and accelerates ice melting when deposited on snow surfaces. Vehicles also emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that is the primary driver of climate change. 

Accelerating Climate Change 

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane not only contribute to climate change but also influence the formation of aerosols, which can have extreme warming or cooling effects. Methane, through chemical reactions in the atmosphere, leads to aerosol formation, which, in turn, affects cloud formation and properties, altering Earth's radiation balance and increasing the risk of extreme weather events. Changes in aerosol concentrations can disrupt climate feedback mechanisms, further complicating the role of greenhouse gases. This demonstrates the profound damage vehicular traffic is causing to the Himalayas. 

The Need for Collective Action 

While strict regulations have reduced emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides, the growing number of vehicles continues to undermine these improvements. The Himalayas, not just Asia’s water tower but a priceless heritage for humanity, require urgent individual and collective efforts to preserve their ecological integrity. We must ensure that the significance of pilgrimage coexists with environmental sustainability, maintaining the sacred balance of this fragile region. 

Jay Singh Rawat is Dehradun-based veteran journalist, environmentalist and author