For the first time, insurance cover will be provided to pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine, a government spokesman said in Srinagar on Wednesday.

Each pilgrim will be entitled to an insurance cover of Rs 100,000 on payment of Rs 20, he said.

All pilgrims will have to formally register for the pilgrimage, which commences on July 12, he said.

So far, about 107,000 pilgrims have registered at 85 counters all over the country.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has set up a camp at Nunwan near Pahalgam for registration of labourers and ponies whose services will be needed by the pilgrims.

Four counters will be opened at Chandanwari, the first stop en route to the shrine, he added.

Unlike in the past, the spokesman said, Pahalgam would remain open for the tourists during the pilgrimage period.