2nd Buransh Mahotsav Report

Transcription

2nd Buransh Mahotsav Report
2ND KAUSANI BURANSH
MAHOTSAV
Report
2016
HIMALAYA STUDY CENTRE
www.theburansh.com
REPORT
20 TH TO 24 TH APRIL 2016
Buransh Mahotsav at Kausani is an effort to promote tourism in Uttarakhand based on its rich
culture, biodiversity, flora and fauna. It was launched in 2015 by Himalayan Study Centre.
Buransh (Rhododendron) is the state tree of Uttarakhand and the flower of Buransh is a symbol
of joy, happiness and prosperity. When the Buransh flower blooms in the month of March-April
the festive season starts.
FIRST BURANSH MAHOTSAV REPORT
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INAUGURATION – DAY 1
Buransh Mahotsav this year was inaugurated by Col. Sanjiv Sardana ,C.O. Signal Regiment
Kausani at The Buransh Retreat.
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Alongside, the photography exhibition of the black and white photographs of Kr. Sukhdev
Singh ,Anil Risal Singh ,color photographs of Threesh Kapoor and paintings by Anjali Thapa
were open to public. The black and white photographs portrays the beauty of the Himalayan
culture, and the color photographs of Himalaya , Threesh Kapoor, mesmerized every one.
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The handicraft exhibition had the exclusive woolen’s of Panchachuli Women Weaver ; silk
and wool mixed products of Avani from Tripurapuri ; himalayan natal stoles by Bamboo Board ;
Bamboo LED lamps by Urja Sutram of Dehradun ; tulsi blend tea products by Anaya ; jam,
jelly,pickel,juice,herbs by Inheir of Masi ; maha kali fruit from Gangolihat ; Himco from
Patharia ; Harela of Almora ; Mati from Munsyari ; books of Samaya Sakshya Dehradun ;
Uttarakhand tea of Kausani , and different product of CIMAP .
Wild life poster of Anup Sah & agriculturural tools by Laxmi Ashram work shop attracted every
one.
Kathak dance sponsored by SPIC MACAY was performed by Gauri Diwakar of Delhi who
was accompanied by Indu Prakash on vocals and Mohit Gangani on tabla. She started the
program with Shiv Vandana which was followed by many other pieces .She took keen interest
in teaching the finer points of the dance to children specially the bhav mudras. Her jugal bandi
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with tabla was enjoyed by one and all. School children from Laxmi Ashram , Anamay Ashram,
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Govt. College, and local children were present in large numbers.
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On this occasion Basanti Devi from Laxmi Ashram, recently awarded by the President of India
for her unique efforts to save the forest and land in the Kosi River valley, was felicitated on
behalf of the people of Kausani with a shawl presented by Gauri Diwakar, Mrs.Sardana Kanti
Bahen ,Urmila Srivastava and Anita Kapoor. Basanti Bahen became very emotional and thanked
the organizers for their gesture.
The young vedic pandits from Anamay Ashram and their teacher recited ved paath on the
occasion. Col.Sanjeev Sardana appreciated the efforts of Himalaya Study Centre & Retreat in
organizing Buransh Mahotsav every year. He said such festivals in Kausani will go a long way
in promoting eco-tourism .All guests were served buransh squash , tea ,coffee and snacks.
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NATURE WALK & SLIDE SHOW – DAY 2
At 8 am, nature walk from Kausani to Garur-Baijnath took place. Tourist, children from Laxmi
Ashram and local people participated in the walk. Aim of the walk was to get an understanding
over the sustainable lifestyle in the villages. It was a pleasure to visit the village of Maghar
Chaura where we were received by Balwant Singh and Lal Singh, the most progressive farmers
of the area. They are active in using poly-farming techniques. Awed by the fruitful kiwi trees ,
variety of organically grown vegetables , bari elaichi ,and other herbs. Vermi-composting is
adopted by the village to complement the agricultural efforts. They offered matha, sweet salty
drink, to all yatries. Although it was hot in the valley but every one enjoyed the yatra.
In the evening a slide show on Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra was presented by Threesh Kapoor at the
The Buransh Retreat media hall for the tourists and local denizens.
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HERITAGE WALK, BIRD WATCHING & BOOK READING SESSION – DAY 3
Participants of heritage walk at Sarla Behn Ashram
The 3rd day began with heritage walk from Laxmi Ashram at 8 AM. After going through the
various activities at the Laxmi Ashram we moved to the Maa Ashram of Anand Bhai and then to
Sumitra Nandan Pant gallery .The guide at the gallery took time to explain the life and work of
Pant jee . Though the gallery needs a lot of improvement and a suitable guide .Then we
moved to Sarla Bahen Museum, which is beautifully managed and Bhai jee was there to receive
us. It is a treat to visit the place and know about the outstanding work done by Sarvodaya people
in the hills. Afterwards, we walked till the Anasakti Ashram ,it was already 9 am but the door of
the hall was not open .We had to go to the office and get it opened. This place has a unique
collection of photographs on the life of Mahatama Gandhi. We return to The Buransh Retreat
after taking a round of the state bunglow which was the residence of the manager of tea state.
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BIRDS OF KAUSANI
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Alongside a bird watching workshop was organized for students from Kausani. We want to
thank CCF eco-tourism for sponsoring the bird watching and eco-tourism workshop. It was
quite a success. The students were highly motivated and enthusiastic. We are planning to come
out with a coffee table book on “Birds of Kausani” and add more species into the list compiled
during the 1st Buransh Mahotsav 2015.
In the afternoon a slide show on Himalaya Darshan was organized at Laxmi Ashram . Threesh
Kapoor beside showing beautiful images of Uttarakhand also informed about the importance of
different places, mountains, valleys, people and their costumes especially the nose ring and its
styles. The program was followed by the poetry recital of Sumitra Nandan Pant work, by Dr.
Kapilesh Bhoj. He explained about the benefits of going to library regularly and reading as much
as possible over different subjects especially poetry. He started with the Kumaoni poem of Pant
jee on Buransh flower. He beautifully explained the vivid description of nature in the poem of
Sumitra Nandan Pant.
Dr.Kapilesh Bhoj with Laxmi Ashram girls
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Later, a cultural program was organized at Anashakti Ashram ,sponsored by the cultural
department , Govt. of Uttarakhand. We want to take the moment to thank the department for
coming forward and in being an active stakeholder.
Artists performing at Anashakti Ashram
Tourists enjoying the cultural evening
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SEMINAR ON ECO-TOURISM & EVENING FOLK MUSIC – DAY 4
REPORT ON 1ST ECO-TOURISM CONFERENCE
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A seminar on Development of Sustainable Eco Tourism in Kausani was chaired by Kapil
Kumar Joshi CCF Eco Tourism Uttarakhand and Prem Kumar, Conservator of Forest Almora.
Threesh Kapoor, President of Himalaya Study Centre & Retreat welcomed the chief guest and
other guests .He explained in detail the genesis of Buransh Mahotsav .Though Kausani is the
most famous tourist destination yet no such activity is conducted here on a regular basis. He
informed that Sujit Banerjee ,IAS and Advisor and Principal Secretary Tourism Govt. of India,
few year back at Binser suggested for conducting Buransh Mahotsav in Kumaon ,but no such
initiative was taken by any Govt Deptt for this . Kausani is the only place in India where
Buransh Mahotsav is organized and celebrated. Rhododendron festival is sometimes
celebrated in Sikkim.
HIGHLIGHTED POINTS-
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
Pan Singh ,the senior most citizen of Kausani explained about the history of Kausani and
the changes it has undergone since past few decades.

Basanti Devi, shared her experience on conserving the Kosi River valley forest. She
expounded over the importance of people’s participation for the
conservation of
biodiversity in the hills.

Ravindra Singh, Gram Pradhan, Kausani, explained about the in-bound and out-bound
tourism in Kausani .He expressed that we are providing room and food to tourist but there
are no activities around except watching sunrise or sun set therefore tourists are not
staying in Kausani for a longer period .He stated Buransh Mahotsav to be a unique
effort of Threesh Kapoor in Kausani .

Chandan Singh Dharamsattu focused on the petty position of the eco-park in Kausani
and how funds were misused.

Anirudh Jadeja from Gujrat explained the ways and means by which we can improve the
condition of local villagers and provide a market to local produces.

H C Bhatt from TRC Kausani wanted improvement of the path to Rudradhari and
Peenath temple .He also requested for a ropeway to Peenath. Baijnath Lake should have
boats and other facilities for tourist.

Threesh Kapoor requested to start paragliding in Kausani .Himalaya Study Centre has
conducted a successful trial near Bijoria bend for the same.

Prem Kumar CF Almora explained the importance of people’s participation in
conservation of water and forest.
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MAJOR TAKE AWAY FROM THE SEMINAR
Kapil Kumar Joshi CCF Eco-Tourism started his address by quoting Mahatama Gandhi “Nature
has plenty to give to all living on the Earth". He said Eco tourism is nothing but observing the
nature, conserving it and then sustaining livelihood for the community. He said three important
aspects of eco-tourism are Conservation, Community Participation and Activity. He also
elucidated over the carbon foot print of tourism. He appreciated the efforts of Himalaya Study
Centre and Retreat for this unique initiative and promised all help.
He declared 1. Every year Kausani will hold Spring Bird Festival along with Buransh Mahotsav in the
month of Feb-March. He pin-pointed ,7 more centers in the state will be identified for this.
2. 15 young boys or girls from this area will be provided free nature guide training by the Govt.
and they will be certified guides of the Govt in this are .Local hotels should employee them as
nature guide. He further added that if local hotel can provide facilities then training can be
conducted at Kausani.
3. He promised to print a book on the Birds of Kausani and trails of Kausani for which he
requested the material from Threesh Kapoor. He also promised to consider printing of a coffee
table book 65 magical moments of Kausani and requested for a soft copy of the same from
Threesh Kapoor.
4. He suggested forest department to submit a working plan to rejuvenate the eco-park and
improve the path to Peenath and Rudradhari water fall. He also invited suggestions for
developing new places in this area. He wants to develop souvenir from local area. He
appreciated the Village Mart started by Himalaya Study Centre and requested to continue it
throughout the year.
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5. Local people must formalize the heritage walk for which Eco-tourism department will
provide all help. He suggested to form a small committee to conduct all such innovative
festivals in Kausani under its umbrella, ensuring government help could be provided through it.
Kapil Joshi with Basanti Bahen and Prem Kumar presented awards to the winners of painting,
essay and quiz activity .They also presented nature hand book and Birds of Uttarakhand
powered by Himalaya Study Centre to all the participants.
Pranshu Thapa, receiving the award on winning the painting activity
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Vote of thanks was offered by Threesh Kapoor, President of Himalaya Study Centre .The
seminar was followed by a delicious lunch for all participants.
In the evening Urmila Srivastav from Mirzapur presented her folk and kajari songs, bhajans and
gazals.It was gorgeous to listen to her amidst the mountains.
Smt. Urmila Srivastava
With this 2nd Kausani Buransh Mahotsav was declared closed for the season.
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EXPLORING
KAUSANI
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THANK YOU
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