Dehradun, May 23 -- The first three weeks of the ongoing Char Dham Yatra of 2025 have recorded a notable drop in pilgrim turnout in comparison to the first three weeks of the Yatra in 2024, continuing a downward trend that began in the very first week of the Char Dham Yatra and has persisted over the past three weeks.

According to an analysis by Dehradun-based environmental action and advocacy group, Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, a total of 10,91,406 pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines between April 30 and May 20, 2025, as compared to 13,84,688 pilgrims during the same three-week period in 2024 from May 10 to May 30; a reduction of 2,93,282 pilgrims translating to a 21% decline.

"The decline began right from we...