newindianexpress.com/nation/Uttarakhand-government-plans-to-record-Kedarnath-pilgrims-fingerprints/2013/08/08/article1723599.ece?service=print
INDIA, August 8, 2013 (New Indian Express): In the wake of the recent natural disaster [in which thousands died], the Uttarakhand Government has decided to record the fingerprints of pilgrims to the Char Dham (pilgrimage places) in the state. Talking to Express on the sidelines of Tourism Fest meeting, State’s Additional Secretary (Tourism) Sachin Kurve said the state government would also ask the pilgrims to register themselves to enable the authorities concerned to keep a tab on them. “It will help us to evacuate them if any untoward incident takes place,” he said.
Kurve said the registration process would be soon streamlined and organised. While admitting that about 20 percent of tourist destinations in the state usually get affected by natural calamities, he stressed that the remaining 80 percent of locations, including Nanital, Mussorie and Ranikhet, were totally safe.
Pointing out that the tourist footfall has, of late, dropped considerably, he said the fear factor has been adversely affecting the tourism industry in the state. He said 95 per cent of hotel booking were cancelled in Nanital and Mussorie alone, resulting in a loss of around US$6.6 million. “The tourism industry in the state has suffered a loss of US$823 million this year as a result of the natural disaster,” Kurve said.
Expressing hope that the state would have a good tourism season, he said the pooja would begin in Kedarnath temple from September 4, while the state of Himachal Pradesh would be ready to welcome adventure tourists from September 15. “Kedarnath and Parvat temples are now safe. From October, rebuilding of damaged tourist and other infrastructure will start in the state,” Kurve said.