SABLO URGES IMMEDIATE SCIENTIFIC REVIEW, ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS TO PRESERVE THE HOLY ICE-SHIVLINGAM AT SHRI AMARNATHJI HOLY CAVE
LUDHIANA, 09 July 2026 — Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO), representing Yatris/Pilgrims and Bhandara (Langar) service providers engaged in the service of pilgrims during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, has expressed grave concern and deep disappointment over the untimely melting of Holy Ice-Lingam, because of which majority of Pilgrims will be deprived of the “Pavitra Darshans” of Holy/Sacred Ice-Lingam . SABLO has urged the Shrine Board and all other relevant/concerned authorities to take immediate and effective corrective, scientific, environmental and administrative measures to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Cave and protect the natural formation of the Holy Ice Shivlingam.
SABLO has submitted an urgent representation to the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board expressing grave concern and deep disappointment over the untimely melting of Holy Ice Shivlingam.
SABLO has clarified that the representation is not intended as criticism of the Shrine Board, Civil Administration, Security Forces or any other agency, whose efforts in managing one of the world’s most difficult pilgrimages are sincerely appreciated. The organisation has stated that its sole objective is to safeguard the faith of millions of devotees and preserve the fragile ecosystem surrounding the Holy Cave for future generations.
The organisation has expressed deep concern that during the current Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Holy Ice Shivling appears to have diminished almost completely within only a few days of the commencement of the pilgrimage, despite a substantial portion of the Yatra still remaining. Similar concerns have also been noticed during recent years. While natural climatic conditions may be one of the reasons, SABLO believes that every possible environmental and human-induced factor deserves objective scientific examination before any conclusions are drawn.
Major Issues Raised
1. Immediate Scientific Investigation into the Melting of the Holy Ice Shivling
Sh.Rajan Gupta, President of SABLO has called for the constitution of an independent multidisciplinary committee comprising experts in glaciology, geology, environmental science, climate science, cave climatology and structural engineering to scientifically examine all possible factors affecting the formation and preservation of the Holy Ice Shivling.
2. Review of Pre-Yatra Access to the Holy Cave
Shri Rajan Gupta has requested a review of the existing policy permitting large numbers of VIPs and other authorised persons to visit the Holy Cave several days before the official commencement of the Yatra.
He has pointed out that while the Pratham Pooja was performed on 29 June 2026, the Yatra was officially opened for pilgrims only on 03 July 2026, creating a gap of four to five days during which thousands of visitors reportedly accessed the Holy Cave, many travelling in vehicles under special permissions.
Shri Rajan Gupta has submitted that if the objective behind delaying the public opening is to preserve the Holy Ice Shivling and ensure better management, unrestricted movement before the official commencement may defeat that very objective and deserves scientific review.
3. Review of Ongoing Construction Activities Around the Holy Cave
Shri Faqir Chand Verma of organisation has requested an independent environmental assessment of ongoing construction and infrastructure development in and around the Holy Cave.
Shri Verma has expressed concern that excavation, drilling, concreting, rock cutting, heavy machinery and vibration-generating activities could potentially disturb the fragile ecological balance around the Holy Cave and therefore require immediate scientific evaluation.
4. Environmental Impact of Steel Structures and Permanent Installations
The representation also seeks a review of the large-scale installation of steel grills, barricades and other permanent or semi-permanent structures around the Holy Cave.
While recognising the importance of crowd management, Shri Verma has submitted that any intervention in such an ecologically sensitive area should be periodically evaluated to ensure that it does not adversely affect the natural micro-climate inside the Cave.
5. Vehicular Movement Near the Holy Shrine
Shri Pankaj Soni, Media Secretary has also raised concerns regarding continuous vehicular movement up to the Holy Shrine area.
According to Shri Pankaj Soni, vehicles inevitably generate heat, emissions, vibrations and environmental disturbance, all of which deserve independent scientific assessment considering the delicate natural conditions required for the formation of the Holy Ice Shivlingam.
6. Scientific Study of Human-Induced Factors Affecting the Holy Cave
Shri Pankaj Soni, Media Secretary has requested expert examination of several human-induced factors that may influence the cave’s natural environment, including:
Heat generated by artificial lighting systems.
Heat emitted by CCTV cameras, electrical equipment, communication systems and other electronic installations.
Alteration of natural airflow caused by barricades, security infrastructure and temporary structures.
Thermal radiation generated by continuous human presence.
Changes in temperature, humidity and moisture distribution due to platforms, railings and flooring materials.
The organisation has clarified that these factors require scientific investigation and that no conclusions should be drawn without expert assessment.
7. Continuous Monitoring of CCTV Surveillance
Shri Rajan Gupta, President SABLO has also urged the Shrine Board to ensure continuous real-time monitoring of the CCTV surveillance network already installed along the Yatra route and at the Holy Cave.
The organisation believes that active monitoring integrated with the Central Control Room would:
Prevent unauthorized movement before officially permitted Yatra timings.
Ensure equal implementation of Shrine Board regulations for all pilgrims.
Improve crowd regulation and safety.
Reduce unnecessary congestion near the Holy Cave.
Enhance transparency and public confidence in the management of the pilgrimage.
8. Compliance with Supreme Court Directions
The representation draws attention to the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Court on its Own Motion vs. Union of India & Others (2012), wherein the recommendations of the Special High Powered Committee (SHPC) were accepted for environmentally sustainable management of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Shri Vijay Mehra, Finance Secretary has requested that all developmental activities around the Holy Cave be reviewed to ensure complete compliance with these judicial directions and the ecological safeguards evolved thereafter.
Key Recommendations Submitted by SABLO
Shri Vijay Mehra has requested Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board to:
Constitute an independent multidisciplinary scientific committee.
Review and suspend non-essential construction activities until environmental assessment is completed.
Examine the necessity of vehicular movement near the Holy Shrine.
Review unrestricted pre-Yatra access to the Holy Cave.
Conduct an environmental audit of all permanent and temporary structures.
Place existing environmental safeguards in the public domain.
Ensure strict compliance with Supreme Court directions and SHPC recommendations.
Establish a permanent scientific monitoring programme including continuous temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, airflow, thermal imaging, meteorological correlation and ice thickness monitoring.
Faith Must Be Preserved Through Science and Responsible Management
Shri Vijay Mehra has emphasised that the Holy Ice Shivling is not merely a natural ice formation but the centre of faith and devotion for millions of devotees across India and the world.
Shri Rajan Gupta has appealed that every possible scientific, environmental and administrative measure should be adopted to preserve the sanctity of the Holy Cave while ensuring safe, orderly and environmentally sustainable conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
Shri Rajan Gupta, has expressed hope that the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all concerned authorities will give urgent consideration to the representation in the larger interest of protecting the sacred shrine, preserving its unique ecology and ensuring that future generations continue to have the divine darshan of the naturally formed Holy Ice Shivling.
