PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj has greeted the people on the reopening of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham which marked the start of this year’s Char Dham Yatra on Sunday. He also appealed to the pilgrims to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of the Char Dham. The minister stated that the consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food is completely prohibited in the Char Dham. He appealed to the pilgrims to ensure that they do not pollute the Dham while also making sure that they dispose of plastic and other waste in designated places. Stating that the weather in the mountains can change suddenly, he asked pilgrims to carry a raincoat/umbrella and to also keep important phone numbers like the disaster control room numbers 1070, 1077 along with 112 to contact the police and 108 for medical emergencies. Maharaj said that the government has made proper arrangements for registration, health checkups and safety to ensure a safe and convenient pilgrimage. Exhorting people to visit the Char Dham in large numbers, he said that they should also carry the QR coded registration pass and Aadhaar card while also paying attention to the guidelines and instructions issued from time to time during the Yatra. Pilgrims aged above 50 years and suffering from ailments should also carry their health checkup certificate. He suggested that those suffering from blood pressure issues, sugar level problems and cardiac issues should undergo a health checkup before undertaking the pilgrimage. The minister said that the 108 ambulance service is deployed on every route on the Yatra circuit and that travellers should seek help from this service in case of emergency. The temperatures in Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham hover between five degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, and can also drop down to zero at night. Considering this, pilgrims should carry adequate warm clothing, woollen caps, gloves and other items for protection from the cold, the minister added.