By : Girija Pande , Dept of History ,Kumaon University, Nainital
For the last three decades Himalaya has received attention of global community. Today it is being considered as the ecological lungs, an important carbon sink zone and the hot spot of bio-diversity, which can save the future of mankind. The concern for the future of the planet has shown a surge in saving this unique ecosystem. A number of international organisations and funding agencies are functional in this region and seminars, symposia, or workshops with different perceptions are in galore every day, but the Himalayan dilemma has not ended yet. However away from such jargons, a unique endeavour initiated by a few youths is fostering in Himalaya for the last 30 years. An effort to learn the complex and sensitive nature and culture of Himalaya through Pad Yatra is being organised under the aegis of PAHAR, a voluntary organisation working in Himalayan region. Known as Askot-Aarakot Abhiyan this march is a unique exercise which is being organised every 10 years since 1974. Though it sounds like an adventure expedition but it is an attempt to know the life and condition of Himalayan villages.
In 1974 inspired by veteran social activists Sri Sundarlal Bahuguna, Sri Chandi Prasad Bhatt and other Sarvodayi workers, a few enthusiastic and socially concerned university youths decided to negotiate the far flung and remote regions of Uttarakhand to understand the life and condition of their country sides. On 25 May 1974 they initiated a 1000 kms long Pad Yatra across Uttarakhand, on a deliberately chosen occasion, the birthday of a great freedom fighter of the region Sridev Suman who revolted against the tyranny of Tehri Riyasat and gave his life while in 84 days of hunger strike at the age of 29. Interestingly it was also the birth year of famous Chipko-an eco-movement of this region. This Abhiyan played significant role in spreading the ecological awareness among Himalayan people and motivated them to struggle,restore and regain their natural right to use their natural resources. The then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Sri Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna appreciating the Abhiyan, in his message to these youth said –“Nations are built by its own power and regions by its strength. Mountains will have to find their own path to shine. In some sense volunteers from Uttrakhand have discovered this path.”
The Askot-Aarakot Abhiyan begins from Pangu a small hamlet en route to Kailash Mansarovar in Indo-China-Nepal border in the eastern part of Uttrakhand. The Abhiyan passes through 350 villages, 16 alpine pastures, 20 Kharaks (high altitude grazing fields), 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 endangered, state, 5 Himalayan pilgrimage routes, 5 tribal zones and 3 regions of Indo-Tibetan trade activities located in altitude varying from 200 to 3500 meter from main sea level. This ambitious endeavour ends at Aarakot village in Uttarakhand-Himalchal border in the west. The special feature of Askot-Aarakot Abhiyan is it’s people based nature as continuously for 45 days team entirely depends on villagers for food and shelter. Harmal Singh Danu a team member says there is a pre condition for not to keep money during the Abhiyan. For sustenance this situation forces every one to interact with villagers, hold informal meetings, exchange views and once rapport is establishes one begins feeling the warmth of village culture and realising their joys and sorrows.
Once again Uttarakhand is going to witness the forth Askot-Aarakot Abhiyan in May. The Askot-Aarakot Abhiyan-2004 is significant in several ways as it is the first Abhiyan of the 21st century in the new state of Uttaranchal. Apart from one main and nine sub trails, this year Pad Yatra is proposed in several other routes of historical significance such as route followed by Huen Tsang from Kalsi to Govishan in 639 AD, by Jesuit father Andra de in 1624 form Hardwar- Mana to Chhaparang (Tibet), by Deneal brothers from Najibabad to Garhwal in 1789, by Thomas Hardwick in 1796 from Kotdwar to Srinagar, by Bishop Heber in 1824 in Kumaon, by Lord Corzon in 1903 from Nainital to Ramni and routes followed by Swami Vivekanand, Pt. Nain Singh Rawat and Hiem & Gensser in last century.
Explaining the nature and scope of this activity Shekhar Pathak an environmental activist who is coordinating this Abhiyan since beginning says, “Know thy villages, know thy people.” is the motto of the Abhiyan. He adds, for each of us it is a two pronged process of learning, experiencing and enriching our understanding of unique nature and culture of this part of Himalaya. AAA provides an opportunity of interaction with rural folk to get the true rhythm of the society, its problems, nature of development and socio-political scenario under new economic policies.
During 45 days Yatra people’s perception towards issues of land, water, forest, mining, large dams, health, education, gender, liquor politics, unemployment, communication etc. and their aspiration in new state will be assessed. Living condition, changing socio-economic, cultural scenario of mountain societies and impact of globalisation & liberalisation will also be examined. It will be a review of previous 3 Abhiyans in the back drop of 56 years of Independence. Open for all this Abhiyan is expected to witness huge participation of social activists, students, teachers, journalists and lovers of Himalaya from different parts of country and abroad.
Sri Chandi Prasad Bhatt a noted social activist and environmentalist expressing his views on the previous Abhiyan said
“This profound and humble Yatra which encompasses within itself a tree is also a seed. It has caught in true sense the very nerve of the socio-natural world, extending between river Kali in east and Pabbar in west in the Himalayan region. As much these seeds will spread, our understanding of mountains will become more scientific and people’s power will get strengthened.”
No doubt Pad Yatra always gives new vision and strength. When Mahatma Gandhi returned to India, after successful Satyagraha Andolan in Africa he was requested to lead the masses but he showed his incapability saying he has no idea of India. Then his mentor Gopal Krishna Gokhle asked him to go to villages to understand India. The Askot Arakot Abhiyan is also a step to know its people and will open new vistas to understand the Himalayas in wider perspective.
Some Photographs
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Himalayan Dilemma: Landslides |
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Himalayan wilderness; Panchachuli peaks from Munsyari town |
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Team holding a meeting in Bala village |
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Man is ploughing the field |
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The only way to cross the river Gori by pulley |