Dehradun, Nov. 15 -- Garhwal Post Bureau

Rudraprayag, 14 Nov: For years, one problem that has troubled both pilgrims and the administration along the Kedarnath route is the proper disposal of dung left behind by thousands of mules. During Kedarnath Yatra, large numbers of mules carry pilgrims between Gaurikund and Kedarnath every day, and the dung that piles up along the trail has long been a serious environmental challenge. Now Uttarakhand has taken an unusual step to turn that challenge into an opportunity.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took the initiative by setting up a unit first time in India to make fire pellets from a mixture of mule dung and pirul (pine niddle). A special unit has been set up at Sonprayag for the purpose. ...