India, Sept. 28 -- Uttarakhand has collected 798 tonnes of waste across the four Char Dham destinations during the ongoing pilgrimage season, as part of efforts to improve sanitation and reduce plastic waste in the Himalayan pilgrimage circuit, the state government said.

The campaign covers Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, with local bodies responsible for waste management at the respective sites. The government said the initiative was launched with an emphasis on scientific waste disposal, plastic recycling and greater awareness among pilgrims, local residents and traders.

Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the four dhams are part of both Uttarakhand's religious and cultural heritage and the ecologically sensitive Him...