Back to the Roots

Less is more when it comes to rural eco-tourism

By: Ipsita Sarkar, New Delhi

Almost 74 per cent of Indias population resides in its 7 million villages. According to the Ministry of Tourism, rural tourism is one of the few solutions that can counter the effect of the growing urbanisation syndrome in villages. And the quintessential Indian village is attracting tourists by the thousands.

 

If an opposite word were to exist for the word city, it would have to be village. Your grandma and grandpa, might have highlighted this opposition a countless number of times saying Back in our village, there was so much peace and calm it was easier to breathe and life was uncomplicated. The yearning to return to their roots was strong. The dads might recall how they learnt to swim in the non-descript ponds and rivers of the villages (instead of the fancy country club swimming pool in town) and climb trees with a certain pride. How extended families reunited during family functions in their ancestral village home. And then there is Generation Us! City born, city bred. To whom such connections are but tales.

Since opposites attract, a natural curiosity to explore our rural roots was bound to emerge. In our increasingly hectic and fast paced city life, the idea of a vacation is often to take a break and head off to somewhere different. What better break than a visit to a rural destination? Visiting its untouched scenic wonders, witnessing a way of life so much closer to nature and in the process, creating sustainable eco-systems, providing alternate sources of sustainable livelihood opportunities for the rural people and empowering the local community in harnessing their natural resources. Rural tourism, an emerging eco-tourism sector, preserves and promotes eco-friendly practices, cottage industries and the cultural heritage of the local artisans.

https://vimeo.com/16297812

http://youtu.be/8heynT5AW1k

www.rosekanda.org

http://www.euttaranchal.com/hotels/rose-kanda-rural-homestay-bageshwar.php

www.facebook.com/ROSEKanda.volunteering

 http://bageshwar.nic.in/pages/display/55-excursion

Back to the Roots

Back to the Roots
Less is more when it comes to rural eco-tourism

By: Ipsita Sarkar, New Delhi

Almost 74 per cent of Indias population resides in its 7 million villages. According to the Ministry of Tourism, rural tourism is one of the few solutions that can counter the effect of the growing urbanisation syndrome in villages. And the quintessential Indian village is attracting tourists by the thousands.

 

If an opposite word were to exist for the word city, it would have to be village. Your grandma and grandpa, might have highlighted this opposition a countless number of times saying Back in our village, there was so much peace and calm it was easier to breathe and life was uncomplicated. The yearning to return to their roots was strong. The dads might recall how they learnt to swim in the non-descript ponds and rivers of the villages (instead of the fancy country club swimming pool in town) and climb trees with a certain pride. How extended families reunited during family functions in their ancestral village home. And then there is Generation Us! City born, city bred. To whom such connections are but tales.

Since opposites attract, a natural curiosity to explore our rural roots was bound to emerge. In our increasingly hectic and fast paced city life, the idea of a vacation is often to take a break and head off to somewhere different. What better break than a visit to a rural destination? Visiting its untouched scenic wonders, witnessing a way of life so much closer to nature and in the process, creating sustainable eco-systems, providing alternate sources of sustainable livelihood opportunities for the rural people and empowering the local community in harnessing their natural resources. Rural tourism, an emerging eco-tourism sector, preserves and promotes eco-friendly practices, cottage industries and the cultural heritage of the local artisans.

https://vimeo.com/16297812

http://youtu.be/8heynT5AW1k

www.rosekanda.org

http://www.euttaranchal.com/hotels/rose-kanda-rural-homestay-bageshwar.php

www.facebook.com/ROSEKanda.volunteering

 http://bageshwar.nic.in/pages/display/55-excursion

US documentary film makers Alexis and actress Blair done film shooting at Jeevan paying Guest Unit / ROSE

 

US documentary film makers Alexis  and actress  Blair   done film shooting at Jeevan paying  Guest Unit / ROSE   , about the India’s Natural Beauty  of  central Himalayan reason ( Village Sunargaon , Kanda, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand ), Himalayan  view,  Flora and Fauna, wild life, Forest , Organic farming terraced land , mountain and rivers, Rural life style ,Art and Craft, Handicraft, Cultural  folk heritage , Domestic live stock , Geography, Environment , Rural Development, Social welfare , Community efforts,  livelihood  improving efforts , Solar energy, water harvesting , Education /Awareness / Training program / Pilot Field Demonstration ,

Village / Rural /Eco Tourism , Spiritual Faith and other.

The team leader  and Actress Blair , director Alexis, camera man Atul Bansal   ,assistant  Suneel , driver Gopal and  host Jeevan Verma visited the film shooting spots and take many shots . Complete shooting will be editing in California  US . The film will be show on US television .

 

 

Blaire Pie

Hello ROSE team! Im blaire and a couple years ago I spent some time at ROSE and did some filming for a travel show pilot. I've tried to get the footage to Mr. Verma many times, but i think there were always technical difficulties! Lets see if they can see it through here https://vimeo.com/16297812

Please send my love to the whole Verma family!!!! -- Blaire

 

Off the Beaten Path - Host Blaire Carson -

vimeo.com

rough cut teaser for Off the Beaten Path, a philanthropic travel show which focuses on adventures in responsible tourism.

near Brooklyn, NY, United

Nathan Solar

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

nathansolar@hotmail.com

I have found the overall experience to be generally hospitable. The house family was respectful enough, giving me my own room and calling me in when food was prepared. During my stay I helped in masonry work but was mostly teaching in the class room to 15 children age 2-10. The teacher who helped me was kind to me but occasionally used a more physical means of motivation towards the children that was, to my taste, indifferent, however most of the children were very respectful and polite. The nature in Kanda is beautiful and while I found the expense to be high, (keep in mind half of the expense goes to helping the school and construction) the 11 days I spent in Kanda were peaceful and a good escape from the rest of the world. I recommend the opportunity.

www.rosekanda.org

Poverty Vs Education (Uttarakhand)

Fighting Poverty Through Economic Empowerment In Rural India

For: Village of Sunargawn, (Kanda),Uttarakhand, India

Organizer: R.O.S.E. - Rural Organisation for Social Elevation

VIEW GALLERY

 

Project summary
This project is raising money to help people living in extreme poverty in the rural area of Kanda (India) to become self-sufficient through entrepreneurial goat farming. In practice this is done by donating goats to the people in need and by providing them with entrepreneurial goat farming education.

About us
Rural Organization for Social Elevation (R.O.S.E.) is a small and local community development organization from the Kanda community in the Indian Himalayas.  Since 1983 R.O.S.E. has activated the local people in the community through various development initiatives such as providing employment, building schools, building houses for the marginalized, creating awareness and empowering people. To read more about R.O.S.E., please visit http://www.rosekanda.info/about-rose.php

Project details
Where do we (R.O.S.E.) need funding?
We need USD 6000 to extend the capacity of the area where goats sleep, are fed and taken care of until they grow to the age when they can be donated to the people living in extreme poverty.  We are building an area of 12.5m x 3.7m (inc. feeders; living area for the goats; roof, windows and doors to protect from rain and wild animals) that will be able accommodate 10 goats. With the extended capacity, we can provide teaching and healthy goats for more people.

Expected impact
With 10 goats, we expect to be able to annually donate 5 – 10 goats depending on natural circumstances (breeding success). The goats we are breeding can generate a roughly estimated net profit of around INR 2000 – INR 3000 (EUR 25 – EUR 38) per goat. Therefore, if a family increases its herd size within few years to 20 goats, they would be able to breed around 10 – 20 goats annually depending on natural circumstances. Optimally, the families could start earning INR 40 000 – INR 60 000 per annum.  All of this income would be additional income to what they already earning (under INR 5000 a month). With the help of this additional income, these people can renovate their houses, provide education for their children and improve their standard of living.

In case we manage to raise the full amount before deadline, all exceeding donations will go towards buying healthy goats to start the breeding process. Therefore, the more funding we raise, the faster we are be able to donate the goats.

Agricultural / Farm /Rural Eco Tourism in Uttarakhand India

ROSE offer a wide variety of activities for anyone interested in learning about organic farming methods. During harvest, visitors are shown how to cut the various crops using only a knife. These crops include rice, wheat, millet, Soya, beans, and chickpeas to name a few. Wheat and rice grains are pounded with a mortar and pestle to make flour for the chapattis eaten at most meals. The agricultural work changes from season to season, but there is always work to be done. In the organic garden onions, chilies, garlic, mustard, greens, beans, radish, peas, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, peppers, aborigines, tomatoes, pumpkin, cucumbers, Taro, and okra are all vegetables planted. These vegetables are staples in the Indian diet and are spiced with ginger, turmeric, cardamom, and coriander to produce the unique, wonderful flavors of the cuisine. Having an understanding of what goes into the meals gives the visitor a greater appreciation for the food.

international Village/Rural Eco tourism ,Farm tourism

Greetings. I am writing to introduce you to a noble effort in village ecotourism in rural India. It is called the Rural Organization for Social Elevation (R.O.S.E.)and was founded in 1981 by local residents concerned about the plight of the poor in the Kanda area of Uttarakhand, India. In 1988 it began accepting international volunteers, eco tourists and students. Since then it has accepted over 450 people from all over the world to work and live immersed in village life and the local culture for anywhere from 1 week to six months. It is a unique approach to tourism that supports and uplifts the local community .R.O.S.E. is currently trying to reach out like-minded individuals and organizations in order to form a network to share information and bring awareness to its existence. To find out more about R.O.S.E., the work it does, and the opportunities it provides for tourists please visit http://www.rosekanda.org /blog & www.bageshwar.nic.in/excursions.htm
First Choice Responsible Tourism Award 2005 Best Volunteering programme sponsored by The Imaginative traveler, Winner-Rural Organization For Social Elevation (ROSE) from The World Travel market (WTM) London on 16th November 2005 http://www.presspicture.net/p247t-login.htm