Equine animals' plying strength fixed for high altitude pilgrimages in Uttarakhand

Prithviraj SinghDehradun, May 29 -- The Uttarakhand government has fixed the plying strength of equine animals on high altitude pilgrimage routes with mandatory registration and fitness certificates in every 45 days.

The decision was taken as the government issued a new Special Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure obstacle free movement of the pilgrims and prioritising animal welfare with carrying capacity on the pilgrimage routes.

According to the new SOP, for equine animals on high altitudes only 5,000 mules and horses will be allowed to ply on the Kedarnath route for carrying pilgrims and other goods to the shrine area.

Around 1,050 equine animals will be allowed on Hemkund Sahib, while only 595 mules can ply on the Yamunotri Temple ro...