report on workshop proceedings
TRANSCRIPT
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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