Iltija Mufti flags shrinking Amarnath lingam, raises concerns over environmental impact

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) shared photographs on social media of the shrinking Amarnath lingam and alleged that the annual pilgrimage was exceeding the Supreme Court-prescribed limit on the number of pilgrims, raising concerns over the environmental impact on the cave shrine.

Ms. Mufti, who is also the daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, made the remarks after photographs showing the shrinking naturally formed ice lingam surfaced on social media. According to official figures, over 1.13 lakh pilgrims performed darshan during the first five days of the 57-day pilgrimage.

“Which means an average of 22,000 per day [were visiting the cave shrine] while the SC limits it to 10,000 a day. Quality and preservation of the holy cave must take precedence over quantity and disappearance,” said Ms. Mufti.

Ms. Mufti said that only a week into the Amarnath Yatra, the naturally formed lingam had already melted. “Climate change from mindlessly axing trees, illegal mining, waste mismanagement and dangerous depletion of water levels are major factors. Unfortunately, the environment has become a casualty in Kashmir’s politics. It has no power currency. For our mountains, rivers and glaciers to survive we need a long term sustainable environmental and tourism policy. Much like Bhutan. Otherwise, Kashmir will cease to exist,” she said.

She said the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) must consider that the site itself is “precariously situated inside a cave surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers”.

“A site of monumental significance for Hindus which has existed since the 12th century. But there’s been a sad acceleration of certain measures such as unnecessary construction, massive footfall of devotees and an ambitious ropeway project that could wreak havoc here,” said Ms. Mufti.

She said the Amarnath Yatra is deeply intertwined with the ethos of Kashmiriyat and that yatris are always welcome. “But for this tradition to survive and continue I hope SASB treats this revered spot with more mindfulness and greater consideration. Lest we forget there was a time when the naturally formed snow sculpture lasted well beyond the Yatra duration itself,” she said.

The annual Amarnath Yatra began on July 3 and will conclude on August 28. Pilgrims reach the cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,888 metres, through the twin routes of Baltal in central Kashmir and Pahalgam in south Kashmir.