WITH CLEANLINESS, MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF THE PILGRIMAGE

Cleanliness can keep the body, mind, and soul clean and calm and it helps in building good character. Maintaining cleanliness is an essential part of healthy life as a clean environment has a great impact on our personality. Cleaner surroundings uplift our mood almost instantly. Therefore, it is the collective responsibility of every human to keep the environment clean and protect the planet from further environmental degradation. It is time to become responsible citizens and maintain sustainable waste practices.  If we want fresh air and purity for our next generation, we have to reduce pollution and keep our environment clean first.

 

I have written this blog in context with the importance of clean religious places. If you visit a religious place that is spic and span, you are bound to be impressed with its beauty, ambiance, and maintenance. Given the huge number of pilgrims visiting various places around the country, we must be prepared to face the challenge of managing all types of solid and liquid waste.

 

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

There is a saying that 'Cleanliness is next to God. This proverb teaches us that unless you adopt clean thoughts and maintain external cleanliness, how can you be close to God. In the 17th century, based on this proverb, it was concluded that cleanliness meant both moral purity and personal hygiene.

The importance of cleanliness in our lives cannot be denied. In fact, sanitation plays a very important role in the context of public health. Maintaining a clean environment is for the health of all. An unclean environment invites a lot of problems and spreads deadly diseases. The effects of poor hygiene are visible far and wide. Let us find out how our ignorant habits are ruining one of our much-loved and popular religious sites.

 

GARBAGE IN KEDARNATH: A MAJOR CAUSE OF CONCERN

The Prime Minister recently in his Mann Ki Baat program discussed the ongoing Chardham Yatra in Kedarnath and shared that some people are expressing their happiness after the completion of the Yatra. But at the same time, he also said that some devotees are very sad to see the increase in the dump yards of garbage. It has been observed that the act of throwing garbage aimlessly is on a rise and has led to heaps of waste. Photographs of garbage piles went viral on social media and people have been discussing this subject. However, talking alone will not help. People must be fined for their irresponsible behavior.

Kedarnath with its snowy peaks, alpine forests, and colorful rhododendrons offers a serene and pleasant environment. The undulating landscapes of this snowy region promise thrilling escapades. All the most attractive places are placed at higher altitudes and there is no doubt about the fact that Kedarnath draws huge attention from all around the world. Do we want the visitors to see piles of trash? Going on a holy pilgrimage and coming across a heap of filth is not right. We go there to experience the divine of Devbhoomi, so it is our responsibility to maintain this divinity and spirituality.

How would you feel if you found filth in the favorite part of your garden or house? Same way, the travellers are really pained to see garage mounts in such beautiful surroundings. The excessive use of plastic has become a cause of concern for experts. Plastic trash is not only affecting the look and feel of the place but this could potentially lead to erosion and cause landslides by affecting the natural vegetation in the region.

Each one must give serious thought to this matter of concern. The devotees should resolve that under no circumstances they will spread filth. An awareness drive and a strong resolve will definitely have a positive impact.

Due to the discussion on social media, many netizens were compelled to demand strict punishment for the perpetrators. Some demanded the government consider limiting the number of tourists per season. Prime Minister had to appeal to the people to maintain the dignity of these pilgrimage sites.

 

 

WORTH-EMULATING EXAMPLE FOR SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT

We should learn from the people of Bhutan, our tiny little neighbour. They are leaving no stone unturned to save the environment. It is the first country in the world to become carbon negative. Anything that spreads pollution is banned by the government of Bhutan. For this reason, this country is surrounded by nature and has been successful in protecting its environment. It is mandatory to have 60 percent forest by law in Bhutan. At present, 72 percent of the area is forested. Plastic bags are banned here since 1999. This of course makes it not only carbon neutral but also the only carbon-negative country in the world.

In Bhutan, a comprehensive regulation for waste minimization and management is applied to all point sources and/or points of origin of different types of waste and their management. This regulation is a strong measure to deal with the existing bad scenario of waste disposal and management in Bhutan. A person having knowledge of any person disposing of waste, wrongfully into the environment can report it to the nearest local authority or the Royal Bhutan Police. 

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Garbage piles threaten the beauty of one of the most pristine environments of Kedarnath which is not only famous in India but also in the world. An accumulation of refuse and discarded materials make the air dirty and it directly affects many ecosystems and species. Landfills, considered the last resort in the waste hierarchy, release methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas linked to climate change.

Throwing garbage anywhere is an unfortunate practice. Under the law in India, there is a provision for taking appropriate action by the police on this. Provision has also been made for legal processes as a deterrent.

The National Green Tribunal has declared that “any person, hotel, resident, slaughterhouse, vegetable market, etc., that does not comply with the instructions or throws garbage in any drain or public place, will pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs 10,000 per default.” Still, people here have the habit of throwing garbage secretly or on the go, which needs to be changed.

The problem is not just with the waste or the people, but the failure to implement the rules. Many people are not even aware of hygiene and cleanliness and ignore these aspects in these religious places also. The need of the hour is to conduct massive cleaning campaigns in the areas concerned involving volunteers and clean-up programs. There is a great need to make people aware of this.

It can also be controlled through awareness campaigns and service programs. For example, the administration of Radha Soami Satsang Beas is always adamant and alert on keeping the premises clean. Lakhs of devotees come here during Satsang programs and we can imagine how much garbage, dirt, and unwanted things must be coming here and there, but the management is done by Seva so well that these things do not have any bad effect on the environment.

The voluntary service work there is unique. It is worth emulating and should be adopted in every religious place or its surrounding areas. Individual role/or Seva has much importance in the work of cleanliness. Now, the need is only to inculcate such feelings in the mind of the people so that they may not repeat this and focus more on cleanliness.