Report on the Pada Yatra Pilgrimage and Its Environmental Implications in Sri Lanka

Introduction to Pada Yatra and Its Cultural Significance

The Pada Yatra is a centuries-old spiritual pilgrimage on foot in Sri Lanka, originally undertaken by Hindu devotees of the deity Skanda-Kumara. This pilgrimage traces a sacred route through two major national parks, Kumana and Yala, culminating at the Kataragama shrine in the island’s deep south. It is recognized as Sri Lanka’s oldest pilgrimage and holds significant cultural and religious importance.

Growth in Participation and Emerging Challenges

1. In 2024, over 31,000 pilgrims completed the 20-day journey, with this year’s numbers reaching the same milestone within the first seven days, indicating a sharp rise in participation.
2. The pilgrimage route spans approximately 90 kilometers through ecologically sensitive areas inhabited by diverse wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and bears.
3. Despite guidelines and waste management efforts implemented by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the increasing number of pilgrims has raised serious concerns regarding environmental degradation and pollution.

Environmental and Spiritual Concerns

• Environmental Impact: The surge in visitors has led to increased waste generation and disturbance to wildlife habitats, similar to issues observed at other sacred sites like Adam’s Peak, where pilgrimage seasons produce significant nonbiodegradable waste.
• Spiritual Dilution: The pilgrimage’s original spiritual essence is perceived to be eroding as many participants now treat the journey as an adventure hike or photo opportunity rather than a sacred ritual.
• Commercialization: The rise of tour operators offering paid packages and the proliferation of makeshift food stations (dansalas) relying on motor vehicles have further altered the pilgrimage’s traditional character and increased environmental pressures.

Risks to Pilgrims and Wildlife

1. Traversing rugged terrain and wildlife habitats poses risks, including fatal encounters with leopards and elephants documented in recent years.
2. Authorities advise pilgrims to travel in groups and exercise caution near waterholes frequented by wild animals.

Measures Taken and Recommendations for Sustainable Pilgrimage

• The Department of Wildlife Conservation has introduced regulations such as banning drone usage within protected areas to maintain order and protect wildlife.
• Waste management systems have been deployed along the pilgrimage route, and data collection is ongoing to better organize future events.
• Environmentalists emphasize the need to balance cultural preservation with ecological sustainability, urging actions to prevent the Pada Yatra from becoming an environmental disaster.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Pada Yatra pilgrimage intersects with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Ensuring the safety and well-being of pilgrims by managing risks associated with wildlife encounters and rugged terrain.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Preserving cultural heritage and promoting inclusive participation while maintaining the spiritual integrity of the pilgrimage.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Implementing effective waste management practices to reduce pollution and environmental degradation along the pilgrimage route.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Minimizing ecological footprints by regulating motor vehicle use and discouraging activities that disturb natural habitats.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): Protecting biodiversity within Kumana and Yala national parks by enforcing conservation guidelines and limiting human-wildlife conflicts.

Conclusion

The Pada Yatra pilgrimage remains a vital cultural and spiritual tradition in Sri Lanka. However, the rapid increase in participation and associated environmental challenges necessitate coordinated efforts to safeguard both the pilgrimage’s sacred nature and the ecological integrity of the regions it traverses. Aligning management strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals will be essential to ensuring the pilgrimage’s sustainability for future generations.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Concerns about safety of pilgrims due to wildlife encounters and risks during the pilgrimage.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Preservation of cultural heritage and sacred sites like the Pada Yatra pilgrimage route and Kataragama shrine.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Issues related to waste management and pollution generated by the increasing number of pilgrims.
4. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Implied concerns about pollution affecting water bodies along the pilgrimage route.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Environmental degradation and disturbance to wildlife in national parks (Kumana and Yala) due to pilgrimage activities.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between government departments (Department of Wildlife Conservation), environmentalists, and local communities to manage the pilgrimage sustainably.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
4. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of Pilgrims Participating
   • Tracking the total number of pilgrims (e.g., 31,000 in 2024, reaching that number within seven days in 2025) to monitor crowding and pressure on the environment.
2. Waste Generated During Pilgrimage
   • Quantities of solid waste collected (e.g., 1,500 tons of solid waste during the Esala Festival, including 4 tons of PET plastic bottles and 50 kg of synthetic garlands) as an indicator of environmental impact.
3. Incidents of Wildlife Disturbance or Human-Wildlife Conflicts
   • Records of fatal encounters with wildlife (e.g., leopard attack in 2012, elephant trampling in 2023) indicating risks to human safety and wildlife disturbance.
4. Implementation of Regulations and Guidelines
   • Monitoring enforcement of rules such as drone bans and vehicle restrictions within protected areas.
5. Data Collection and Waste Management Systems
   • Efforts by the Ministry of Environment to collect data and deploy waste management systems along the pilgrimage route to organize future events sustainably.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.mongabay.com