Dehradun, June 2 -- Garhwal Post Bureau

DEHRADUN, 31 May: The first month of the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in 2025 has seen a noticeable decline in pilgrim turnout compared to the same period in 2024. According to an analysis conducted by Dehradun-based environmental action and advocacy group SDC Foundation, a total of 17,17,619 devotees visited the Char Dham shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri in the first month this year. In comparison, the yatra had recorded 19,56,269 pilgrims during the same one-month period last year, marking a decrease of 2,38,650 pilgrims or an overall drop of 12 per cent.

A closer look at shrine-wise figures highlights this decline more clearly. Kedarnath saw 6,49,161 pilgrims in 2025 as again...