The meltdown of the much revered ice lingam (stalagmite) has become a cause of concern for both pilgrims as well as the ecologists. Some are putting the onus on the phenomenon of global warming as the major cause. But, a deep analysis of the ecology of surrounding region makes ample scope to take into task the unfettered tourism and consequent pollution near the cave shrine. When the higher reaches in Amarnath cave are endowed with snow, the stalagmite inside the cave formed of frozen ice is fast melting.
To the horror of many, the recent pictures beaming on TV screens showing people hugging the lingam, and even burning incense sticks are certainly contributing more to the meltdown than the dreaded global warming. Research shows that a person emits 160 watts of energy into the ambient air on average. Considering the fact that thousands of tourists visit the stalagmite to pay respect, there is every possibility that the cave is getting more and more warmer per day contributing to the melting down.
R Sridhar, Director, Academy for Mountain Environics, Dehra Dun observes,
The ice stalagmite typically forms when the ambient temperature remains close to sub-zero in the cave. It has little to do with long-range temperature averages, which is what global warming is about. Consider 100 people inside the place in a day and it means a 16,000-watt heater was warming the air around the stalagmite. In such a scenario, if the temperature is generally hovering just close to freezing point, then there is always the chance that the stalagmite may melt off.
The Himalayan shrines in Kashmir and Uttaranchal are always overburdened by tourists and there is no proper management system to regulate their inflow. Scattered plastic bags and wastes near the shrines also contribute to the increase in temperature, which affects the natural phenomenon like formation of stalagmites. The Amarnath-like incidents have previously happened in Gupteshwar stalagmites formed of limestone in Orissa are fast vanishing due to increasing tourist visit.
The economy of Kashmir region mainly depends on tourism. But, the unfettered and uncontrolled tourism is certainly harming Kashmiris more. Many areas in the state be it Amarnath, Vaishno Devi or the beautiful Dal lake, the places of tourist interest are fast getting spoiled.
No doubt, the glaciers world over are fast vanishing due to global warming, but stalagmites like the one in Amarnath is more affected by tourist warming rather than larger dynamics causing snout recession. We need to keep tourist activities near the cave shrine under control to save our faith as well as the environment.
Via: Times of India
