Amarnath cave shrine not 'silent zone', clarifies NGT

NEW DELHI: Following protests over its decision, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday clarified it has not declared a "silence zone" at the Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas. A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said that due silent has to be maintained only in front of the ice stalagmite resembling the 'Shivalinga.'

On Wednesday, the NGT declared it a 'silent zone' and prohibited religious offerings beyond the entry point. Reiterating its last day's order, the Tribunal asked the devotees to maintain a single file from the base camp leading up to the shrine. It also clarified that its order was meant to preserve the sanctity of the shrine by minimizing damage caused to it by 'adverse noise'. "These directions are to keep the sanctity of the cave and ensure no adverse noise impact on shivling. Silence restrictions will not apply on Arti and rituals."