Schools in Kedarnath are going soundproof: Here’s why
Kedarnath is a beautiful place lying in the bosom of the Himalayas. It is situated quite high above the sea level. The Kedarnath shrine sees the visit of pilgrims from around the world. This may be a good thing for the tourist revenue but is not so much of a joy-cry for the residents of the area. Schools in Kedarnath are going soundproof and the reason is the constant whirring and whirling ear-piercing noise of the helicopters transporting pilgrims to the Kedarnath shrine.
Villages even 45kms away from the shrine suffer due to such huge and frequent noises. In one of the first such initiatives anywhere in the Uttarakhand hills, classrooms in nine government schools are being made soundproof. This is being done the heli-companies operating on the route of Rudraprayag district.
Students from government schools situated near Kedarnath complained about the excessive noise from the choppers. Students from places like Phata, Guptkashi, Sonprayag and Narayankoti were involved. At least 60 trips are made the choppers in a day. The students complained that their teachers’ voices were being drowned and it was difficult for them to concentrate on the lessons.
After taking cognisance of their concerns, the district administrator of Rudraprayag approached the heli-companies. This was to cooperate and work out a solution. There were several rounds of discussions. The heli-companies decided to sponsor 18 soundproof rooms for the nine schools whose students are worst- affected.
Representatives of the heli-companies say that they are taking care to ensure that students have no further cause for complaint. Teachers too are quite relieved.
Due to the huge sound produced helicopters and the resulting disturbance shall now not halt the future of the children of the mountain. Schools in Kedarnath are going soundproof for the first time. Better late than never.
