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Household tourism in Sangla valley
In a new initiative to strengthen the tribal economy through environment-friendly income-generating activities in the fragile mountainous regions, Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, and local NGO Himalayan Research Group have joined hands to promote agro-tourism in the picturesque Sangla valley of Kinnaur district.
The scheme, to be implemented through community participation, will be formally launched with the two-day Sangla valley household tourism festival being held on May 9 and 10. The tribals have been organised into a group under the banner of the Sangla Valley Sustainable Development Society. The event will showcase the tribal culture, cuisine, handicrafts and folk music and dance mainly to attract foreign tourists. Experts would interact with the tribals to educate them about various aspects of agro-tourism. The event has been sponsored by the research institute of organic agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland, and the state departments of Tribal Development and Tourism.
Explaining the concept of agro-tourism Dr Tej Pratap, vice-chancellor of the university and the man behind the initiative, said that the tourists would not only live as in the houses with tribals but also participate in various farming activities. They would also venture into higher reaches to which the tribals migrate during the summer along with the livestock. They would enjoy organic food, yak rides and also get acquainted with medicinal plants found in abundance in the mountain ranges overlooking the valley.
He said his university had provided training to 25 tribal boys and girls in various skills required in the hospitality industry so that the tourists got quality services during their stay. The families which would play hosts to the visitors had already renovated their houses without tampering with the basic tribal architecture and created decent facilities. About 140 families had given a facelift to their houses but only 30 to 35 families which fulfilled the minimum basic standards would be registered with the Tourism Department under the guest house scheme.
A seminar on “household tourism and agribusiness for livelihood of tribal people in Sangla valley” would provide platform for interaction between experts and local people to help apprise them of the opportunities in the sector and make the event an annual feature.
The idea of introducing agro-tourism was given by a Swiss who visited the valley five years ago. He sent two experts from the FiBL subsequently who spent three months in the valley to prepare a blueprint for the scheme. The NGO also provided funds for capacity building.
SOURCE
The scheme, to be implemented through community participation, will be formally launched with the two-day Sangla valley household tourism festival being held on May 9 and 10. The tribals have been organised into a group under the banner of the Sangla Valley Sustainable Development Society. The event will showcase the tribal culture, cuisine, handicrafts and folk music and dance mainly to attract foreign tourists. Experts would interact with the tribals to educate them about various aspects of agro-tourism. The event has been sponsored by the research institute of organic agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland, and the state departments of Tribal Development and Tourism.
Explaining the concept of agro-tourism Dr Tej Pratap, vice-chancellor of the university and the man behind the initiative, said that the tourists would not only live as in the houses with tribals but also participate in various farming activities. They would also venture into higher reaches to which the tribals migrate during the summer along with the livestock. They would enjoy organic food, yak rides and also get acquainted with medicinal plants found in abundance in the mountain ranges overlooking the valley.
He said his university had provided training to 25 tribal boys and girls in various skills required in the hospitality industry so that the tourists got quality services during their stay. The families which would play hosts to the visitors had already renovated their houses without tampering with the basic tribal architecture and created decent facilities. About 140 families had given a facelift to their houses but only 30 to 35 families which fulfilled the minimum basic standards would be registered with the Tourism Department under the guest house scheme.
A seminar on “household tourism and agribusiness for livelihood of tribal people in Sangla valley” would provide platform for interaction between experts and local people to help apprise them of the opportunities in the sector and make the event an annual feature.
The idea of introducing agro-tourism was given by a Swiss who visited the valley five years ago. He sent two experts from the FiBL subsequently who spent three months in the valley to prepare a blueprint for the scheme. The NGO also provided funds for capacity building.
SOURCE
Himachal is pioneer
Household tourism was started and explored in India via Himachal Pradesh and still it is growing. I am sure that SANGLA will be having lot of tourists staying in houses. Kerala is also coming fast in tapping this resource where RAJASTHAN has yet to start.