PAHAR (People’s Association for Himalayan Area Research organizes ) organizes Askot-Araakot Abhiyan Yatra in the month of March after every 10 years. This yatra is being organized since 1974 . Previous Yatra were organized in May -1974, 1984,1994 and 2004.
2004 Yatra
This Yatra started on 25th May 2004 . This Abhiyan is a unique participatory exercise for the scientific understanding of mountain communities under which an extensive survey of nearly 350 villages of Uttarakhand located in various altitudes is done. The Abhiyan of 2004 passed through 16 alpine pastures, 20 Kharaks (high altitude cattle sheds), 15 zones and 3 valleys affected by earthquake and landslide, 8 initial regions of Chipko movement, 15 Chattees (ancient pilgrimage camping sites) which are now in ruining state, 5 Himalayan pilgrimage routes, 5 tribal zones and 3 regions of Indo-Tibetan trade activities.
During this Abhiyan PAHAR studied the post independence change, especially in last 3 decades.The focus of yatra was on following things.
- The society- Its culture, cast structure, cast conflicts, gender, weaker sections of society, crime issues etc.
- The economy– Patterns of economic activity, migration economy, cottage industry, forest & non forest produces Indo-Tibet trade, impact of new economic policy, globalisation & liberalisation etc.
- The resource– Status of land, water, forest, wild life, human resource and management etc.
- Traditional knowledge systems
- Health & education
- Tourism
- Governance– Panchayati raj, women’s participation etc.
- Environmental scenario– Deforestation, mining, dams, erosion, landslides etc.
This extraordinary programme helped in understanding of the dynamics of Himalayan society and environment. Needless to say that it was a voluntary programme entirely based on people’s support therefore participants are expected to arrange subsistence support in their own.
aadarniya bandhu namaskaar..
kya aap das saalayi khabarsaar muje mail kar sakte hai…. sath hi chinmay shayar ki rachnayein padhne ka utsuk hu… yadi sambhav ho to pls jarur bhejen..
Suraj Pal 'Mani'
ssuraj_pal@yahoo.co.in
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