<p class="title">A 57-member second batch of Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims was airlifted early today by IAF helicopters from Naini Saini airstrip here to Gunji base camp to avoid weather-related risks along the treacherous trek route. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Four IAF choppers ferried the 57 pilgrims to Gunji at around 7 AM this morning, Pithoragarh District Magistrate C Ravishankar said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Though the trek route from Lakhanpur to Gunji is alright, pilgrims were airlifted to avoid weather-related risks and also because it would save them some time which they could use to enjoy the homestay facilities at Nabhi and other high altitude villages, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It is a hard 18-km steep trek from Lakhanpur to Gunji. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The second batch of pilgrims had reached Pithoragarh Tourist Rest Centre of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency for the Yatra via Almora last evening, the official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The airlift is meant to facilitate homestay for pilgrims in high altitude villages on the route and avoid hard trek for the pilgrims" said KMVN GM T S Martolia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">SDM Dharchula said the trek route to Gunji from Lakhanpur is in good shape and the villagers and defence personnel are using it to reach Gunji.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"However, in high altitudes, the risk of landslides at this time of the year is always there especially along a 670 metre sensitive stretch between Lakhanpur and Nazang," SDM Dharchula R K Pandey said.</p>
<p class="title">A 57-member second batch of Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims was airlifted early today by IAF helicopters from Naini Saini airstrip here to Gunji base camp to avoid weather-related risks along the treacherous trek route. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Four IAF choppers ferried the 57 pilgrims to Gunji at around 7 AM this morning, Pithoragarh District Magistrate C Ravishankar said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Though the trek route from Lakhanpur to Gunji is alright, pilgrims were airlifted to avoid weather-related risks and also because it would save them some time which they could use to enjoy the homestay facilities at Nabhi and other high altitude villages, he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It is a hard 18-km steep trek from Lakhanpur to Gunji. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The second batch of pilgrims had reached Pithoragarh Tourist Rest Centre of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN), the nodal agency for the Yatra via Almora last evening, the official said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The airlift is meant to facilitate homestay for pilgrims in high altitude villages on the route and avoid hard trek for the pilgrims" said KMVN GM T S Martolia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">SDM Dharchula said the trek route to Gunji from Lakhanpur is in good shape and the villagers and defence personnel are using it to reach Gunji.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"However, in high altitudes, the risk of landslides at this time of the year is always there especially along a 670 metre sensitive stretch between Lakhanpur and Nazang," SDM Dharchula R K Pandey said.</p>