Kedarnath Generates 50.3 Tonnes of Waste in Five Months, More Than Any Full Year Since 2023
RTI data shows Kedarnath produced 50.3 tonnes of waste between April and August 2026, exceeding full-year totals for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Current Summary
According to a September 24 report by The New Indian Express citing an RTI response from the Kedarnath Nagar Panchayat, obtained by Noida-based activist Amit Gupta, Kedarnath generated 50.3 metric tonnes of waste between April and August 2026 — more than the total recorded in any full year from 2023 to 2025. The Nagar Panchayat reported 32.58 tonnes in 2023, 26.10 tonnes in 2024 and 21.40 tonnes in 2025. Monthly 2026 figures show 1.7 tonnes in April, a jump to 16.3 tonnes in May, then 11.5 tonnes in June, 10.5 tonnes in July and 10.3 tonnes in August. The RTI response also states nearly 20 tonnes of plastic waste were generated in 2026, of which 18.5 tonnes has been processed, and puts the total landfill area at 30,000 square feet, with 28,000 square feet remaining. Four landfills have been created in Kedarnath over the past five years. Separately, the Tourism Department's yatra division reported 15,42,236 pilgrims had visited the Kedarnath shrine this year as of Thursday. The RTI data does not break down waste generated specifically by pilgrims.
What We Know
- Kedarnath generated 50.3 tonnes of waste between April and August 2026, per an RTI response from the Nagar Panchayat.
- This five-month total already exceeds full-year figures for 2023 (32.58 tonnes), 2024 (26.10 tonnes) and 2025 (21.40 tonnes).
- Waste peaked at 16.3 tonnes in May, following 1.7 tonnes in April.
- About 20 tonnes of plastic waste was generated in 2026, with 18.5 tonnes processed so far.
- Four landfills have been built in Kedarnath over the past five years; 28,000 of the designated 30,000 square feet of landfill area remains.
- 15,42,236 pilgrims had visited Kedarnath this year as of Thursday, per the Tourism Department's yatra division.
What Is Still Unclear
- How much of the waste increase is directly attributable to rising pilgrim numbers versus other factors.
- What steps, if any, the Nagar Panchayat or state government plan to expand landfill capacity or waste processing.
What Changed
- 24 Sept, 04:01 pmSignal detected: Kedarnath Generates 50.3 Tonnes of Waste in Five Months, More Than Any Full Year Since 2023