In the darkness that followed the after wash of the Kedarnath floods, a host of volunteers, self-help groups and NGO’s turned their light on what could be done for these hills. Among these is the Green People Organization. In 2014, Rupesh Rai along with a team of eight to ten members have redefined hospitality in some of the abandoned villages, by simply putting these places on the map for off-beat tourist destinations.
Branded as ‘Goat Villages’ that are merely a four-five hour drive from Dehradun but within a radius of some 50-55 kms from each other. Come to villages like Nagtibba, Kanatal and Dayara Bugyal to get a flavour of what life is like for the goat herders who have lent their name.
Speaking to Newspost, Vandana Rai of Green People tells us more about this unique concept: “Ghost villages have been revived and re-structured as eco-tourism destinations as part of the goat rearing tradition.” She adds: “Tourists stay in refurbished homes that once lay abandoned. This is where they get Garhwali cuisine to get a flavour of the hills. Locals are taught hospitality skills to play the perfect host as they double up as mentor to the visitors who flock here.”
Those who stayed on, flourish in these abandoned homes that have a few more creature comforts. The key is a subtle balance between ancient and modern ways. Natural, organic, home-grown products such as pulses, herbs and crop are being packaged and sold all over under the label ‘Bakri Chaap.’ Goat milk is also packaged and sent off to the plains, as a part of micro-farming. This comes as a boon for those who are unfamiliar with modern marketing skills. Slowly but surely this novel approach is changing the lives of those to whom these mountains are more than just a home. Meanwhile, the visitor finds himself soaking up a life of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, art and culture as a part of a complete-package.
In our times these Goat Villages have created a fourth destination. The core object is to reverse the Male Exodus from the hills. It is a fond hope that this attempt will see the possibility of reverse-migration for those who want to return to their home in the hills.
