The dung scattered by horses and mules on the Kedarnath pedestrian route will soon be put to productive use, offering relief to pilgrims from foul smells and improving cleanliness. The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved a pilot project to produce eco-friendly biomass pellets using horse and mule dung collected along the pilgrimage route.
During the Char Dham Yatra season, around 6,000 horses and mules operate on the 16-kilometre-long Kedarnath pedestrian path to transport pilgrims and goods. With no separate track for these animals and no proper disposal system, dung accumulation on the main route has long been a problem for pedestrians.
To address this, the Tourism Department proposed utilising the animal waste as a resource. The proposal was discussed and approved in the Cabinet meeting. Under the pilot project, collection centres will be set up at multiple locations along the route to gather horse and mule dung. The dung will be mixed with pine needles (pirul) in a 50:50 ratio to produce biomass pellets. The liquid by-product generated during the process will be used to produce fertiliser.
In addition, boilers will be installed at select points along the route to provide hot water for horses and mules, using the biomass pellets as fuel. The pilot project will be implemented for one year, and a non-governmental organisation will be selected to execute the work.
Officials said that if the project proves successful, the model will be replicated on other pilgrimage routes across the state, helping improve sanitation while promoting sustainable waste management.