"Apart from counting the number of pilgrims and collecting huge donations of pilgrims at Cave shrine of Amarnath, Board should make efforts to save the lives of the pilgrims-- death of 67 Amarnath pilgrims, mostly due to cardiac arrest, have taken place in just 17 days of the yatra," Puri Shankaracharya , Swami Adhokshjanand Tirtha, told reporters here.
The Shankaracharya, who concluded 8-day long visit of Kashmir Valley and pilgrimage to Amarnath shrine, said "there is no co-operation between Board and Government over the management of yatra--they are entering into the blame game on each other over deaths--it is very serious".
"Yatra is going on for years --spot, which are critical in terms of less oxygen and dangerous for health of pilgrims are identified -- but no medical emergencies are put in place in these crucial areas resulting in deaths", he said.
Board officials are just doing their duties by collecting the bodies of pilgrims --there is urgent need to put in place the medical emergency kits pertaining to critical ailments of heart attacks and high altitude sickness--it is black spot on Board, the Puri Seer said.
During my journey to the shrine, I have seen very poor management of yatra and cleanness and medical aid, he said.
"Even in the bigger pilgrimages like Maha Kumbh --where crores of people throng --there is always cleanness and management to ensure all facilities and arrangements," he said.
"There is an urgent need for the government and Board to put in place full medical emergency setup in order to stop this vicious cycle of deaths of Amarnath pilgrims,", he said.
"I am sending a these observations to the Raj Bhawan," he said.
