The Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra has witnessed a strong response this year. Officials said 37,818 Inner Line Permits have been issued within 40 days of the pilgrimage commencement, already crossing the total number recorded during the entire yatra season last year.
According to officials of the Pithoragarh district administration, last year's total of 36,526 permits was surpassed on June 8. On that day alone, 1,194 permits were issued to pilgrims from different parts of the country, taking the overall figure to 36,776.
The number continued to rise on June 9, when 1,042 permits were issued. On the same date last year, only 618 permits had been granted. The annual pilgrimage started on May 1 and will continue until November. However, the yatra remains suspended during the monsoon months of July and August.
Dhan Singh Bisht, who manages the KMVN base camp at Dharchula, said the number of visitors is likely to exceed one lakh this year. He said many of the visitors arriving early appear to be tourists taking advantage of the holiday season. The regular flow of pilgrims is expected to become more consistent after the middle of June.
Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgai said improved homestay facilities along the route have made the journey more comfortable and safer for visitors, contributing to the increase in footfall.
He added that the growing number of tourists and pilgrims is benefiting the local economy. People are finding employment through transport services, homestays, self-employment activities and the sale of local handicrafts.
Bhatgai said this enables families in the border villages along the route to remain in their ancestral homes, and that round-the-year residency helps strengthen the second line of defence at the tri-border of India, China, and Nepal.
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