In view of the rising variety of folks with hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart illnesses, who’re susceptible to develop problems at larger altitudes, the Uttarakhand authorities has began an train to sensitize meals distributors, eating places and dhabas asking them to serve meals with low amount of salt, sugar and oil through the Char Dham yatra this yr.
The federal government can even enchantment to the pilgrims who take medicines for diabetes and hypertension to desire meals with low salt, sugar and oil through the pilgrimage.
The annual pilgrimage of 4 high-altitude shrines is commencing on April 30 with the opening of portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri, adopted by opening of portals of Kedarnath on Could 2, and opening of Badrinath shrine’s portals on Could 4.
The Uttarakhand authorities, in collaboration with the Meals Security and Requirements Authority of India (FSSAI), has began sensitization and coaching of meals institutions alongside the yatra route, mentioned a state authorities official.
The federal government has additionally issued dietary tips for pilgrims and eateries, asking them to scale back salt, keep away from additional salt in cooked meals, dough, salads, and curd, and “say no” to papads, pickles and MSG-laden substances.
It additionally directed them to chop down sugar through the use of pure sweeteners reminiscent of fruits and dates, and keep away from drinks and desserts containing sugar.
Likewise, eateries are being inspired to do boiling, steaming, or roasting over deep-frying, and use low-fat dairy merchandise.
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The Uttarakhand FDA has already began the coaching and consciousness programmes for frontline employees in Rishikesh, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag, Haridwar, Chamba, and Uttarkashi. Meals distributors are being supplied with customary recipe playing cards and dietary tips to help these objectives.
Commissioner Meals Security & Drug Administration, Uttarakhand, Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, mentioned that cardiac associated points are the principle purpose for deaths and folks falling in poor health through the yatra.
An individual who consumes oil, sugar and salt in excessive portions turns into extra susceptible to well being points after they trek to excessive altitude, he mentioned.
“We’re connecting it with Match India. We’re implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of 10 per cent much less consumption of salt, sugar and oil– in Char Dham yatra. Coaching workshops have been held on this regard in Uttarkashi and Chamoli,” he mentioned. Kumar mentioned the division with district administration can even monitor the eateries through the yatra.
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The state authorities mentioned that rigorous screening up to now three years has diminished the variety of casualties through the yatra. Well being screening of almost 9.5 lakh folks was finished in 2024 and seven lakh folks in 2023. In 2023, 56 lakh pilgrims and 48 pilgrims in 2024 had travelled to Char Dham.
Well being screening is obligatory for folks aged above 50. “When folks with hypertension and diabetes are suggested to not proceed with the yatra, they get upset and so they insist on persevering with it and a few of them even say that they want to put their life in danger as a consequence of their spiritual sentiments,” mentioned an official related to well being screening.
For Kedarnath, a 22-km trekking begins from Sonprayag. On that route, there are 13 medical reduction posts and two hospitals. Pilgrims trek for round 6 km for Yamunotri and Gangotri.
Rudraprayag chief medical officer Ashutosh Kumar, who just lately addressed a workshop of meals distributors, mentioned, “A lot of the pilgrims are from plain areas and they don’t have the behavior of trekking within the larger altitudes. Folks with hypertension, diabetes, bronchial asthma and Continual Obstructive Pulmonary Illness (COPD) flip as much as the MRPs and different hospitals with the complaints of problem in respiration and different problems associated to hypertension and diabetes,” Kumar mentioned and added that many of the deaths occurred up to now throughout yatra had been as a consequence of cardiac arrest in folks having coronary heart points, hypertension and diabetes.
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“Once we held discussions with the distributors of eating places and eateries in a workshop just lately, we discovered that the majority of them had been unaware of the side-effects of excessive consumption of salt and sugar, and repeated use of oil. Now they’ve assured us to observe the rules,” Kumar mentioned.
“Usually, we put together meals as per the demand of the purchasers. However seeing the well being considerations, we are going to use salt and sugar in low or reasonable quantities within the meals. We are going to present sugar-free cubes and desk salt individually and folks can use it if they need added sugar and salt,” mentioned Hempal Bhandari, president of Lodge Affiliation of Rudraprayag, who attended a workshop in Rudraprayag. Bhandari added that distributors on the yatra route principally serve boiled meals.