Amidst the snow-capped Himalayas is the Kedarnath Temple, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year. This high-altitude Lord Shiva temple is considered one of the most important 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Recent data reveal that around 21.4 metric tonnes of solid waste were generated at the shrine, upsetting many devotees across India.
Kedarnath Faces Massive Solid Waste Issue
Kedarnath Temple, located in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, is a place where devotees offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. However, waste management authorities are not able to keep up with the rising number of visitors. According to a report by NDTV, during the 2025 yatra season, around 21.4 metric tonnes of solid waste were generated at the Kedarnath shrine, a 22% jump from the previous year. Nearly 60% of the trash was left unprocessed.
This garbage is not just disrespectful to nature but also threatens the ecosystem of the Kedarnath site. In May 2025, officials recorded 4.8 MT of waste, followed by 5.6 MT in June during the peak yatra season. The months after that recorded lower figures. 1.1 MT in August, 1.2 MT in September, and 1.5 MT in October.
Also Read: Uttarakhand Bans Mobiles & Cameras In Kedarnath & Other Char Dham Temples; No Reels & Videos!
Only 40% Of Waste Processed
According to NDTV, the data was revealed by the Nagar Panchayat Kedarnath after environmentalist Amit Gupta filed queries. Out of the 21.4 MT of solid waste produced between May and October 2025, only 8.7 MT (40%) was processed. The remaining 12.7 MT piled up in landfills or open dumps near base camps. This marks the highest waste generation in five years!
The report highlights a failure in waste management despite improved infrastructure. In recent years, Kedarnath has seen massive development. Improved roads and helicopter services have turned the remote area into a major pilgrimage site. But its ecosystem still faces many challenges. Many people also leave behind plastic waste and food wrappers that reach the Mandakini River and contaminate it.
Also Read: Kedarnath Route To Get 7 km Twin-Tube Tunnel; Ropeway To Carry 1800 Pilgrims Per Hour
Unprocessed waste can create serious problems in the future, and we hope authorities take action soon.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Andrey