Early Melt of Amarnath Ice Lingam Sparks Debate: Specialists Suggest Shorter Duration of Yatra and Limitations on Pilgrims
The Amarnath Ice Lingam Melts Earlier: Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, and Human Activities Taking a Toll
The Amarnath Ice Lingam, a natural formation in the Amarnath cave sanctuary in South Kashmir's Anantnag area, is melting earlier than ever before. This year, the lingam almost disappeared during the yatra that started on July 3, a phenomenon rarely observed 20 to 30 years ago.
The primary cause of the early melting is climate warming, prolonged heatwaves, and human activities around the shrine. Higher-than-normal temperatures in June and July disrupt the natural formation and preservation of the ice lingam at 3,880 meters altitude. Rising temperatures and decreased snowfall (down 60-70%) contribute to the melting, with Srinagar recording its highest temperature since 1953 in 2025, reaching 37.4°C.
Environmental degradation and infrastructure expansion also play a significant role. Conversion of trekking paths to roads, increased motor vehicle traffic, and plastic waste pollution threaten the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, accelerating ice melt. Unique plants like Pleurospermum are becoming extinct due to human activity in the Himalayas.
The large influx of pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra, which had over 331,000 pilgrims in its first 20 days in 2025, increases human footprint and ecological pressure. The conversion of the yatra's two routes, Baltal and Pahalgam, from narrow trails to wider roads used by trucks and jeeps has contributed to ecological degradation.
To make the Amarnath Yatra more sustainable and protect the Himalayan ecosystem, experts suggest several measures. These include reducing the yatra's duration, limiting the number of pilgrims, banning plastics, restoring natural trekking routes, and strictly adhering to environmental laws. The aim is to balance religious tourism with ecological preservation in the sensitive Himalayan environment where the Amarnath cave is located.
The yatra jeopardizes agriculture and water supplies by causing soil erosion, glacier retreat, and biodiversity loss. Former Kashmiri Director of Agriculture Iqbal Choudhary issues a warning about the rising threat of soil erosion, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events that harm crops.
Public outcry for immediate action to protect the Amarnath yatra site is reflected in social media messages. To maintain the yatra's ecological and spiritual sustainability, the government and SASB are under pressure to conduct environmental impact studies and coordinate pilgrimage customs with climate-conscious guidelines.
References: 1. The Wire 2. The Indian Express 3. The Times of India 4. The Hindu 5. The New Indian Express
- Given the early melting of the Amarnath Ice Lingam, experts are urging the SASB to conduct environmental impact studies and incorporate climate-conscious guidelines into pilgrimage customs.
- The Amarnath Yatra, which attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, has been identified as a contributor to environmental degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss in the Himalayas.
- To mitigate these effects, suggestions include reducing the yatra's duration, limiting the number of pilgrims, banning plastics, restoring natural trekking routes, and enforcing strict adherence to environmental laws.
- Education and self-development courses on environmental science and sustainability can play a crucial role in raising awareness about climate change and its impact on the Amarnath shrine and the Himalayan ecosystem.
- Green events and initiatives can also be implemented to promote eco-friendly practices during the Amarnath Yatra, thereby lessening its environmental footprint.
- As the climate warms and human activities accelerate environmental degradation, it is essential to prioritize sustainability in all aspects of life, including religious tourism such as the Amarnath Yatra.
