The first four months of the 2025 Char Dham Yatra have revealed deep cracks in Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage economy. According to the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, between April 30 (the Yatra’s opening date) and August 31, the Yatra faced 55 “zero-pilgrim days”, while on 89 other days footfall remained under 1,000. For a circuit that usually sees over 45 lakh pilgrims annually, this drop is staggering. As extreme weather hits Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage economy, many questions are being raised about safety, climate resilience, and how millions who depend on this annual influx of faith-driven tourism will cope.

SOURCE: DownToEarth

Businesses Shut, Pilgrim Stuck

The tourism industry has been hit hard, or rather, let’s say, it has been hit harder, whether it’s OYO Rooms or small, family-run lodges – nothing is left. Even IRCTC, which handles a large chunk of train bookings to Haridwar and Rishikesh, reported unusually high cancellations this year as road closures left devotees stranded.

On average, the Yatra generates more than ₹1,000 crore annually for the hill state’s economy. However, when extreme weather hits Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage economy, small tea stall owners and taxi drivers in towns like Guptkashi and Uttarkashi are the first to feel the impact. Many pilgrims who did manage to travel stocked up on eco-friendly trekking gear to cope with muddy trails and sudden rain spells, a reminder of how nature is rewriting even the most spiritual journeys.

The government, too, is under pressure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has personally visited Kedarnath multiple times, has emphasized the need for better infrastructure. Yet the numbers speak for themselves: 32 lakh pilgrims in 2025 (till August) versus 46 lakh in 2022, a steady decline as nature takes its toll.

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Lessons From Past Disasters With New Warning

This isn’t the first warning. The 2013 Kedarnath floods devastated the region, killing thousands and reshaping Uttarakhand’s disaster management approach. Today, experts argue that early-warning systems and eco-sensitive tourism models are the only way forward.

As highlighted by Down to Earth, rainfall intensity has risen sharply, and landslides are more frequent than ever. If extreme weather hits Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage economy year after year, the state risks not only economic losses but also the erosion of its cultural and spiritual heritage.

Let’s have a quick snapshot of how the Char Dham Yatra has changed in recent years:

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