Responsibly & Sustainably...Responsibly & Sustainably EndangErEd SEa TurTlE ConSErvaTion How onE CouplE iS rEviving THE TradiTional arT of wEaving in Kumaon Vol 2, Issue 1

Responsibly & Sustainably

EndangErEd SEa TurTlE ConSErvaTion

How onE CouplE iS

rEviving THE TradiTional

arT of wEaving in

Kumaon

Vol 2, Issue 1

mounTain biKing To promoTE rESponSiblE TouriSm

drEadEd CHambal vallEy now a SafE HavEn for TouriSTS

There are seven recognized species of sea turtles.

All seven species of sea turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Threats to sea turtles today include the harvesting of their eggs for human consumption, entanglement and entrapment in fishing gear, ingestion of litter and coastal development.

On the coastal parts of Eastern India, several mother turtles turn up on the beaches to lay eggs. It is quite an effort to locate where the eggs are laid as the mother turtle burrows many holes before actually laying the eggs in a particular spot. It takes a fair amount of understanding to actually locate the right hole.

Turtles are an endangered species, and protecting the eggs become an important necessity. However, most people were not

aware or unconcerned of the increasing threats to the eggs from predators (eagles, jackals, dogs, hyenas) and humans.

Pradeep Nath (Founder of VSPCA: Vishaka Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) took it on himself to protect the eggs. After several years of struggle and taking requisite permissions from the forest department, Pradeep started the Sea Turtle Protection Force (STPF), a 24 member team of extensively trained local fishermen and volunteers who comb the beaches night

and day on patrol, fervently protecting the turtle rookeries from predators, poachers and generally careless beachgoers. The force protects not only the turtle eggs and the hatchlings, but also the mother turtles that come to nest.

The STPF has now achieved success in ex-situ protection (refers to shifting the eggs to a protected hatchery, where they are safe from predators and careless beach walkers) as compared to the in-situ protection (refers to protecting the turtle eggs without relocating them to another area).

There are increasing challenges too for this project to be hundred per cent successful. Dredging, land grabbing

is a serious issue. An increasing awareness campaign among local citizens and tourists may help in combating the issue.

It is a wonderful sight to watch the baby turtles when they are carefully released back to the sea. This is a great example of Responsible tourism as well.

Tourists should be encouraged to support VSPCA in its efforts (http://www.vspca.org) given the efforts they make to not only keep the Sea Turtle protection program running for the last 15 years, but also several other programs for various animals including running a shelter for rescued, domestic and wild animals (The Kindness Farm), feeding stray dogs, street dwellers, and so on.

Tourism To encourage conservaTion of endangered TurTles

Pradeep Nath

Rashmi and Rajnish Jain left Delhi and

shifted to Kumaon, Uttarakhand, to live an alternate lifestyle, far from the daily hustle of the city.

The beauty of Kumaon lured them to come here. The desire to improve the livelihood options and the quality of life for the Himayalan people made them to start work in weaving and textile.

It all started when the Jain couple intervened to install solar energy in the houses of a village in the region. They realised that to

sustain the model, the people needed a source of income, as they did not have the means to pay even the minimum amount of INR 30 (US $ 50 cents) for the lamps. So they introduced spinning and later expanded to weaving.

What started as a means to provide a small source of income in two villages soon became a movement where the products by the Kumaon community

became a brand. Today, Avani works with over 1,100 artisans in 101 villages of two districts.

The local products by the artisans of Kumaon

are sold not only in domestic markets but also globally in countries including Japan and the US. The shawls, sarees, toys, home furnishings and many more products are beautifully made by the artisans, a majority of whom are women. By conducting various exhibitions and online sales, Rashmi and Rajnish are taking their art to diverse places.

Deepa Bhauryal, once a shy girl, joined Avani (www.avani-kumaon.org), a voluntary organization that promotes local weavers, when she was just 18. Today, she has transformed into an excellent weaver and works at a managerial level where she supervises other weavers at Avani.

Bhauryal is one of the many lives that have been touched by Avani

through its various programmes focused on bringing sustainable development in the lives of the people of Kumaon by reviving the beautiful art of weaving.

What started as a training process has now become the way of life for the people who end up being closely associated with Avani and the work they do. But everything was not as easy as it seems now. The couple had to face their own challenges to establish themselves and build trust among the people.

But with continuous efforts and persistence, they not only managed to bring people together but also helped them to earn a stable income.

There is a lot of migration in these areas. In some villages, there are hardly any young...

How one couple is reviving THe TradiTional arT of weaving in KumaonA DElHI-BASED COUPlE SHIFTED TO KUmAON (HImAlAYAN REGION) AND REVIVED THE TRADITIONAl ART OF WEAVING IN THE mOST AmAzING WAY. THE INITIATIVE HAS RESUlTED IN A BETTER STANDARD OF lIVING, INCREASED INCOmE AND DElAYED mARRIAGE OF GIRlS.

Read the whole story in the CD

Rashmi Jain Rajnish Jain

Source: Betterindia.com

Himalayan Adventure Sports &

Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA), www.hastpa.org was initiated by a group of like minded people from varied backgrounds and disciplines in October, 2004.The motivating factor for forming the organization was to promote holistic adventure tourism in the state of Himachal Pradesh, encompassing pertinent issues of sustainable tourism, such as livelihoods, environment conservation, community based tourism etc.

The natural resource base of any given area is the most valuable resource for its ecological as well as economical development. In the modern paradigms of development, tourism has become an activity that addresses the issues of community initiatives for sustainable development. Himachal Pradesh with its unique topography and culture is a great attraction to tourists. What also has to be considered in developing a long term

tourism sustainability plan is the economic factors which motivate the local communities in taking the necessary steps to promote adventure based tourism in a consistent, phased manner preserving all that which today makes it an important part of the itinerary of the tourist visiting the region.

To promote responsible tourism where the local communities become the direct benefactors of tourism in the state along with the preservation of the ecological and cultural environment, team HASTPA began the process of planning for the promotion of responsible tourism. With its huge treasure of Trans Himalayan terrain and the lower foothills of the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh is a Hikers, Bikers, Kayakers and a rafter’s delight. The state has an extensive network of natural trails, which are best suited for the sport of mountain Biking and Hiking.

Except for a few regular circuits most interiors of the state

have not been visited by tourists. Team HASTPA aims to take tourists to these interiors and pass the benefits to the native communities. On the anvil are to develop trails in the state and in the next five years interconnect the whole state of Himachal Pradesh with these trails.

HASTPA stands committed to the people

of Himachal Pradesh to promote sustainable tourism and use mountain Cycling as a tool to establish it as one of the premier destinations for cycling internationally. Future plans include developing trails indigenously with the assistance and support of local Panchayats and pass the benefits to MTB...

HasTpa

Heritage resort in naLagarHNalagarh is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India, 300 km of north Delhi and 40 km from Chandigarh. The Fort which was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas

affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river.

Nalagarh Heritage ResortMob.: 09816038433 (General Manager Sumeet Singal)E-mail: [email protected]: www.nalagarh.in


SAJ Hotels and ResortsCentralised Reservation Offce, Cochin International AirportSAJ Junction - Cochin - Kerala - India – 683572Mobile: +91-9447156000 , +91 9447155000 Email: [email protected]

We are conveniently located very close to Cochin International Airport yet cocooned away from the hassles of it, perched on the serene setting

of a typical Kerala countryside. The rooms are distributed around

a winding swimming pool which offers a waterfront view to all the rooms.

Discover a new youExperience

Ayurveda with the official host to God’s Own Country

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Limited.Kerala. Phone: +91-471-2316736, 2725213 E-mail: [email protected]: www.ktdc.com

KTDC, the Official Host to God’s Own Country, brings you comprehensive packages and services at the most enchanting destinations. Scintillating backwaters, sun-kissed beaches, captivating heritage sites and exotic wildlife sanctuaries and many more magical destinations are awaiting you. An all new experience in Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, KTDC’s Age Halt is a dream come true for all those who seek authentic Ayurveda. So set off on an unforgettable journey with KTDC and experience .

The Chambal Safari is an attempt to

acquaint visitors with a land that has retained its unique landscapes, rugged charm and rare wildlife.

A magical land far removed from the chaotic madness of modern cities, the Chambal Valley is a mere 70 kms South East of Agra—1 hour drive from the Taj mahal.

The mela Kothi - Chambal Safari lodge is a haven of old- fashioned charm and hospitality nestling in the midst of a sprawling

35 acre heritage plantation, surrounded by family owned farmland. Traditionally used as the family’s base for their annual Cattle Fair (established in 1910), this property has been meticulously restored after decades of neglect and is a warm friendly place.

The lodge is an ideal base for exploring the Chambal Valley and surrounding areas, with

excursions designed to appeal to everyone from the serious birder to the culture enthusiast.

The valley is fast emerging as an exciting

new destination, given its unique and unpolluted habitat, abundant wildlife and amazing landscapes, medieval temples and magnificent ancient ruins, animal fairs and naga sadhus. The Chambal Safari lodge team takes pride in providing personal attention to all their guests. While staying here you can do as much or as little as you like.

The river safari is a unique experience, unlike anything on the Indian wildlife circuit. The boat ride on the calm waters of the Chambal, combined with the dramatic landscape and close-up views of the amazing abundance of wildlife are the highlights of the river safari. The National Chambal Sanctuary is home to the Gharial, the rare and highly endangered Gangetic

Dolphin, marsh Crocodiles (muggers), eight species of Turtles, Smooth Coated Otters, Indian Striped Hyenas, Jungle Cats, Golden Jackals, Indian Wolves and foxes amongst others. A birdwatcher’s paradise, the sanctuary currently boasts of over 316 species of resident and migratory birds including large nesting colonies of the Indian Skimmer, the Greater Thick-knee, the Small Pratincole and lapwings.

The lodge also organises Nature & Village Walks, Camel & Jeep safaris and Temple Visits to Bateshwar (the site of an ancient cattle fair larger in size than the Pushkar fair). The Chambal Valley is open from October to April.www.chambalsafaris.com

cHambal safari

The Gharial

Giving up a fledgling career

in Corporate law, Sunayana K moved to a remote village in Gujarat to work with a self help

group. Here she helped 18 women restructure their failing restaurant business with innovative meal plans and recipes.

Sunayana K, a lawyer

by profession, has been putting her skills to good use in the remote village Gangpur in Gujarat.

The restaurant, Nahari, is located on the highway which is a

perfect spot to attract customers. Serving authentic tribal food and nutritional products at affordable prices, this restaurant had all

the ingredients to be a hit but failed to attract customers due to its setup and services. Nahari offered no variety, with just one meal plan, and its focus on authentic tribal food meant that only the adventurous would stop to try such unfamiliar foods. In addition, the women running the restaurant were shy and could not communicate well with customers.

This was the scenario when Sunayana got involved. She started

with some research into the kind of customers Nahari gets, what kind of vegetables are available and how the enterprise could be scaled up. She improved the decor of the restaurant, worked with the 18 women to boost their confidence... and communication skills. She also designed a menu card offering...

THe young lawyer from mumbai wHo revived a HigHway resTauranT run by Tribal women in gujaraT



How volunTeers from 50 counTries Transformed 70 acres of arid land inTo a lusH foresT in puducHerry

Volunteers from over 50 countries have joined

forces to change a 70 acre arid land into a lush forest.

In a period of 11 years, more than 40 acres of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest have been reclaimed, and with their water conservation efforts, the water table in the surrounding area has risen substantially too.

The wells in the neighbouring zones have finally watered up, thanks to the Sadhana Forest project run by Israeli-origin environmentalists Aviram (50) and Yorit Rozin (43). One visit to the community run inside the forest is all it takes for us to realize

the precious wealth we happily squander – our beloved soil.

The first thing you’ll notice when you step inside Sadhana Forest are the plastic cola bottles. Only this time, instead of being strewn across the land, they are carefully poised with a wick to enable irrigation.

The forest is now buzzing with birds and insects of all kinds and the volunteers have planted 29,000 Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest plants of 160 different indigenous species, and are constantly mulching and caring for them.

Aviram, along with his family and a set of volunteers began planting trees, acre by acre. Slowly, the word spread and Sadhana

Forest soon had eager volunteers swamping the place. The bigger challenge however was water conservation. They went around digging percolation ponds, building swales, bunds, earth dams and more to make do with available water resources.

Aviram reads a lot of books on the subject and maintains that it is a constant learning process. Every soil is different and the land itself is the best teacher.

At Sadhana Forest, everything from the food consumed and methods used to prepare to water consumption to the use and reuse of every kind of waste is approached with a deep consciousness of its

effect on the environment as well as the community.

The best part of Sadhana Forest is not only do they store and recharge the water aquifer (ground water), they also ensure that they use as little water as possible. They have a small community of long term and short term volunteers who reside within the forest and every action they do here is inspiring, to the very least. These volunteers get up every day to work tirelessly for the land that is not theirs and whose fruits they’ll never reap. They just give their time and energy expecting nothing in return from nature or the local population.

It is not just the foreign volunteers, local people too have been very supportive of the project and Aviram vouches that they have a treasure trove of information on local plants and its uses....



Puducherry Welcomes You

Yoga4th to 7th January 2016Festival

22ndInternational

Web: http://www.pondytourism.in/ Email: [email protected]

Interesting Featuresyoga meditation•

yogasana practical•

Presentation of papers, discourses & workshops•

yoga Therapy•

yogic food•

yogic music & dance•

Now you can fly to Puducherry via Bengaluru

The Sabar tribe of Jharakhand (East India) is an endangred tribal

population, once trapped in the maoist zone, is still struggling to beat extreme poverty and underdevelopment. It is looking forward to the New Year with new hope all thanks to Palash, that not only offered them sustainable livelihood but also saved their tribe from extinction.

Palash (www.ambalika.org) is an initiative to train Sabar artisan from Sarikela district to weave eco-friendly designer products to make a livelihood. Sabar is one of the most primitive and languishing tribes in the country.

Their strong resistance to British dominance resulted in getting them listed among the 68 denotified tribes who were tagged criminals under the Criminal

Tribes Act of 1871. most Sabar people now live in Samanpur (60 km from Jamshedpur), a village which does not have proper road connectivity.

“It was beyond my imagination to see the pathetic condition of the Sabars when I first went to Samanpur in 1996. Abject poverty prevailed there. They lived in small huts of three by four feet, which they could enter only by crawling, they survived on roots and fruits or on dead animals,”

said Suchitra Sinha, the Joint Director (industries) and Director Tourism, Jharkhand government, who initiated the project Palash.

“We lived in the Jungle and never knew of education. We used to gather firewood and sell them to earn Rs 100-200 a month (US $ 3-4). There is still no road, hospital or anything” said Sagar Sarwar, one of the artisans.

Things started turning around when Sinha saw a woman weaving a basket out of Kanshi grass. “I saw a huge potential in this intricate weaving” she said. With the help of National Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi, Sinha arranged training of such artisans. “The village can also be projected as a tourism destination due to its greenery” said Sinha. Tourists can also see the work and directly buy the produce.

projecT palasH gives new life To Tribals

A typical Sabar home

Myriad Colours of Joy & Celebration

Rajasthan's folk music resounds glorious and its splendour. As you swing to itstraditional beats,

you become part of more than just a celebration. You become part of a way of life.

In the swirl of a dancer, jingle of camel cells, lively fairs, livelier festivals and grand processions -

Rajasthan brings cultuer straight from the heart.

Come over to live the celebration the cultuer.

: Deepa Building, Santo Gopalan Road,Sales Of ceChullikal, Cochi 82005, Kerala, India. Ph : +91 484 2227241, 2223703, 2220802, 07558867799

Farm : Lowercamp, Melagudalur, Theni Dist,Tamilnadu, India | Ph : +91 9578072722, 9842865724

[email protected] / [email protected]

Also available FARMVISIT & DAYTRIP

Authentic organicfarmstay

15 mins drive from ThekkadyDelicious local cuisineOrganic farming experienceBullock cart ride

WEEKEND GETAWAY

LONGSTAYS

FAMILY HOLIDAYS







WEEKEND GETAWAY

LONGSTAYS

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WEEKEND GETAWAY

LONGSTAYS

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Harvest Fresh Farms is located at Lower Camp in the serene

Cumbum Valley, a short 15 minute drive from Kumily, Thekkady, Kerala, close to the famous Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Harvest Fresh Farms propagates an eco-friendly approach to the natural environment and farming methods and promotes sustainable development. The farm grows pomegranates as it chief harvest along with papaya, passion fruit etc.It is also home to cows, geese, turkey, flying ducks, hens and an apiary.

All the produce is organically grown and the farm has gone to great lengths to ensure that

it follows the best practices in the industry. Coir piths, organic waste, garden waste and other organic material are used to make organic compost. Remnants of waste from the kitchen and farm are used to make farm yard compost. The waste material from the cattle shed, namely cow dung and urine is processed to derive jeevamritham, panchakavya types of manure, which are then used in the farm.

The farm has its own biogas plant and the biogas that is produced is used for cooking purpose in the kitchen. The sludge is further exploited as a soil fertilizer. The farm has received the Organic certification from INDOCERT, which is a

nationally and internationally operating, certification body established in India. It is accredited by National Accreditation Body (NAB), Government of India, as per National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

All the working hands at the farm are from the local community and are trained in organic farming and are dedicated to enriching the environment. The plant nursery is designed for nurturing young plants; the medicinal herb garden helps visitors learn about herbs and its usage.

Accommodation on the farm is simple and comfortable with scenic views. The food is traditional and has been highly rated by the visitors. Guests are invited to join in activities like working in the fruit garden and tending to the animals. It provides an opportunity for people to learn about organic farming and rediscover themselves.

The farm makes arrangements for day visits tothe Periyar Tiger natural reserve, various outdoor adventures, andagri-tourism initiatives. The guests

are encouraged to take the local guides to see the place and enjoy various activities like trekking, cycling etc. Bicycles are provided by the farm and bullock carts for local travelare encouraged, as it helps bring down pollution and provides means of income to the local residents.

Harvest Fresh also welcomes guests for day visits; for the ultimate farmhouse experience with lunch or dinner at their convenience. The guests can spend the day at the farm soaking in the beauty, unwind amidst nature or simply volunteerto learn the workings of an organic farm.

An ideal gateaway that will make people realize the importance of organic living, and provide a memorable holiday in the midst of the mesmerizing Cumbum valley.

responsible Tourism

Web: www.harvestfresh.in

Responsibly & Sustainably

Over a thousand species are facing extinction, many art forms/folklore are dying out, age old practices and traditions that needs preservation and encouragement are now being looked at as “old fashion”. To keep sustenance, preservation and conservation, a lot of efforts are required. Most of these efforts go unnoticed, they don’t get the deserved attention or financial support. And many of such projects close down over a period of time.

We, at India Tourism eCatalog, felt it our responsibility to reach out to such projects and people. To map them and add them to the tourism network. We hope that with tourists’ visits to such projects, will enable them to a better understanding of such projects and create more avenues for revenue generation for those working at the grass root level.

We also look forward to your suggestions and comments / feedback. Our email address is [email protected]

Some of the stories that have been encapsulated earlier, are available in the CD accompanying this booklet and also in our website, www.indiatourismecatalog.com/responsible_tourism/index.html

We have our own socially committed organisation, Eternal Energy (www.eternalenergy.in) which is into Value Based Living Workshops and Biodiversity Outreach Programs. One of the projects that we work on is to raise more awareness on the “Plastic Cow”. For more details, please visit our website. We are also actively involved in funding some animal welfare projects, and other causes specially for the blind and girl child upliftment.

YOGIK

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Documents

Responsibly & Sustainably...Responsibly & Sustainably EndangErEd SEa TurTlE ConSErvaTion How onE CouplE iS rEviving THE TradiTional arT of wEaving in Kumaon Vol 2, Issue 1