Report on Workshop Proceedings

8/9/2019 Report on Workshop Proceedings

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Report On WorkshopProceedings

Community Based Conservation

& Ecotourism in the Nanda Devi

Biosphere Reserve District

Oct 2001 Chamoli, Uttaranchal, INDIA


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History

The mountain state of Uttaranchal was

formed in November 2000.

With a legacy of backwardness and

neglect, the Bhutia tribal mountain

dwelling people hoped they would beable to make their destiny henceforth.


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Marginalizing Locals

The listing of the area as a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site for Natural Diversity and as a National

Park in 1982 was NOT a cause of celebration forlocals as their traditional rights were threatened.

Vanaadhikar activists of the region consideredefforts of tourism experts from Indian

Mountaineering Federation too as an attempt todeny any fruits of tourism development to localcommunities.Vanaadhikar had emerged as aplatform for the struggling communities of theprotected areas of Uttaranchal.


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Pro People Conservationism

The villagers had released the Nanda DeviDeclaration on Oct 14, 2001 to addressconservation and equitable tourism issues.

The tribal women who had hugged the trees toprevent their felling had been in the forefront ofthe pre Chipko movement .

A book on the post Chipko movement titledSangharshnama was released by the survivingwomen squad.


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Day 1- 29 Oct 2001

The session was chaired by members of Environment and

Human Rights Law Network (EHRLI), Indian Peoples Tribunal

and Kalpvriksha.

Local leaders explained the reasons for defying the ban inside

the core zone of the National Park and the mass entry of the

community inside the core zone in 1998.

It was pointed out that no government agency or study teamwould bother to even hear the views of local affected

community. They complained the functioning of World Natural

Heritage site was destroying their unique culture.


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Session 1- Recommendation

It was recommended that there is need to study impact of

restrictions on social, economic and cultural lives of local

communities.

Explore possibilities of legal action against concerned

government agencies and also UNESCO.

Henceforth every social research on local community of

NDBR must inform local Gram Panchayats of objectives ofstudy, research methodology and submit copy of final report to

the elected Gram Pradhans of the study area.


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Impact Assessment Team

The case of Medha Lekan, Bastar was cited wherethe Gram Sabha has developed a scrutiny system

for study and research.

It was pointed out that Biosphere has no legalvalidity.

It was recognised that MNCs need not be the mainculprits but the Indian pharmaceutical giants couldbe equally interested in exploiting the richbiodiversity.


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Core zone Field Trip - 30 Oct 2001

An outline of the community based

ecotourism model desired by villagers,was presented under a Nanda Devi

Ecotourism Development Authority.

Institutional structure proposed for thiswas 80% local, 10% government, 10%

resource institutions.


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Field Trip

Outstation participants were exposed to the rich

biocultural diversity of the region. Traditional welcome was given at village Raine,

birth place of Chipko movement.

Folk dances and songs event by Bhutia

women.

Rich and local cuisine offered by the locals.


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Nanda Devi EDA Objectives.

Encourage tourism in the valley.

Monitor equity, quality,growth and

develop integrated tourism plan.

Encourage entrepreneurs.

Invite marketing and financial support.


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Tourism Activities

Trekking, cycling, camping.

Pilgrimage and religious tourism.

Cultural and historical tourism.

Mountaineering training. Gaura Devi Museum of Bio-Cultural

Diversity


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Employment Avenues

Hotel, Restaurant, Guest Houses

Trained guides and Instructors

Transport, Parking, Security

Hatcheries & Trout Fisheries

Water sports

Museum centred activities


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Support Requirements

Institutional development.

Alternative energy planning.

Human resource development.

Integrated Tourism plan development and

linkages with worldwide travel industry.

Finance and National and Global Marketing


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Day 3- 31 Oct 2001

Participants relived history of forest movement in the valley &expressed need to take Chipko to its logical conclusion ie

community based conservation in NDBR. That UNESCO, UNEP and World Bank should be asked to

clarify position on biospheres and outline their commitment tolocal community.

The impact of development and conservation based

displacement of traditional populations.

Actively pursue pro people conservation and equitable tourismagenda in solidarity with struggling Bhutia tribal community


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Citation

Gram Sabha LATA. Workshop Proceedings

Contributed to the Mountain Forum On-lineLibrary by Sunil Kainthola [email protected] .

More at

http://www.mtnforum.org/resources/library/gslat

02a.htm

Documents

Report on Workshop Proceedings