Uttarakhand
Visiting Mussoorie? Say cheese at this 100-yr-old Landour shop
In the heart of the misty hills of Uttarakhand lies the enchanting town of Landour, which is home to one of India's favourite authors, Ruskin Bond, and a cheese shop that is deeply rooted in the history of its cobblestone streets and colonial-era cottages.
Uttarakhand women enjoy ‘khushi ka ek din’
Festivals being held across Kumaon region are helping 'pahadi' women to let their hair down and revel in simple joys, even though only for a day in a year.
Acid attack survivor: I don’t want to hide my face
Kavita Bisht from Karnal village of Uttarakhand has overcome disfigurement and despair to become the state’s brand ambassador for women empowerment.
Cultivating liquid gold in Uttarakhand’s tea odyssey
A brew of tradition and ambition unfolds in the lush terrains of Nainital as sustained efforts to grow tea by 10 villages and the Uttarakhand tea board are reaching fruition.
Nainital villagers use local oak to contain wildfires
Sustained efforts to plant native Himalayan oak trees bear fruit in Nainital district of Uttarakhand, which was once besieged by invasive pines that cause wildfires and climate change.
How written words got her family a new house
When a student’s family had to continue to live in a dilapidated house in Uttarakhand amid fears of landslides in the monsoon, she decided to hone her writing skills to get the officials’ attention. It worked.
Copperware losing sheen for Tamtas of Almora
Tamta bazaar of Almora in Uttarakhand, the once-thriving marketplace and a vibrant hub of coppersmiths, now stands in desolation as the artisans struggle to compete with machine-made products.
Finding a soul in Uttarakhand’s ghost village
Set in a village with seven inhabitants, Srishti Lakhera’s National Award-winning film Ek Tha Gaon showcases the issue of Uttarakhand’s ‘ghost’ villages. She tells us about the movie, its two women protagonists and more.
I came out as the first Van Gujjar transwoman
Shunned by her forest-dwelling community, Tina had to leave home when she was a teen because of her gender identity. At 20, she teaches Van Gujjar women – who stood up for her and accepted her – their dying art.
A herbal effect takes root in Uttarakhand’s hills
The terraced fields of Uttarakhand’s villages are fragrant with whiffs of rosemary, thyme and other herbs as farmers harvest the potential of these culinary ingredients to bring prosperity.
Stepping into the tiger’s reserve
Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 at Corbett Tiger Reserve with the primary aim of safeguarding and fostering the tiger species. On this International Tiger Day on July 29, we join a safari jeep driver on one of his trips. He tells us what it’s like to live on the fringes of the forest and work in the reserve, and what tiger conservation means to him.
Unique homestays in Munsiari
Homestays in this Himalayan village serve as the base for nature and adventure tourists while offering a livelihood for the local people, especially women.
The not-so-sweet journey of Uttarakhand’s peaches
Peaches are the lifeline for many farmers in the Ramgarh region of Uttarakhand. However, the summer fruit is losing its charm as a crop among them due to the rising packaging, labour and transportation costs.
‘Waste dumping in open has increased human-wildlife conflict’
Surge in tourism in the Himalayas has led to enormous plastic waste generation, adversely affecting the region’s environment and wildlife. Vishal Kumar, CEO, Waste Warriors, discusses how this problem can be addressed.
What’s curdling the milk in Uttarakhand?
Most people are finding it hard to keep even one cow as milk yields are getting lower, finding natural fodder is becoming extremely difficult, and feed prices are soaring beyond their reach.
Fin following: Gaga over golden mahseer
Efforts of conservationists like Saurabh Dewan are weaning away villagers of Baagi in Pauri Garhwal district from illegal fishing and helping them earn a decent income through recreational fishing as tourist guides
When livelihoods and disaster relief fall through the cracks in Joshimath
While the land subsidence in Joshimath is a disaster for those who cannot get compensation for their damaged houses because of lack of documents, for many others it is a loss of livelihood.
Uttarakhand’s juiciest millet momos are calling you
A quaint little restaurant in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal is creating quite a bit of stir with dishes exclusively made of nutritious millets.
‘Ecological threat to next generation’, warn Chipko leaders
The women of Uttarakhand hugged trees to protect them from being axed in what is known as the Chipko movement. Fifty years since, how green is India?
Water-starved villagers harvest rainwater in multiple tanks
Post-monsoon water scarcity was a common problem. By storing rainwater in many miniature plastic-lined tanks, villagers have solved their water woes and used it for remunerative cultivation