|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Himalayan
Tales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Himalayan
Village Sonapani |
 |
|
Nature had other plans in store for us on our August 04 road trip to Ladakh (also known as Little Tibet). Landslides and the threat of a dam burst in Tibet laid rest
 to our Ladakh fantasy. As we altered our route and set out towards the newly formed state Uttaranchal, little did we expect to find a beautiful treasure called Himalayan Village Sonapani.
It is, for starters, a 25 minute walk from where the road ends and is a good two hour drive from the popular hill station of Nainital. The remoteness is a conscious decision of the promoters Ashish, Navin and Girish. Ashish is the resident owner, and lives at the Himalayan Village, in a restored 100 year old house along with his wife Deepa and baby girl Vanya. With 12 immaculate cottages, Himalayan Village is the manifestation of first generation entrepreneurs from middle class families. The focus is on organic farming, forest regeneration, sustainable tourism and local community development. This integrated, holistic model to tourism is in sync with our vision. The space here allows all aspects of life to be touched upon in a simple direct manner. We went as guests and became friends and business partners. Our visit coincided with the construction of the vermi culture pit and preparation of the soil for a new vegetable cycle. Ashish outlined a whole series of activities and walks around the village including a game of cricket with the local villagers!! The area borders Mukhteshwar reserve where the thick forest is still intact, making it ideal hiking country. The Himalayan Village website (www.himalayanvillage.com) describes the ‘What to do?’ dimension in detail including the intriguing history about the origin of the name Sonapani.
Himalayan Village is set in what Ashish refers to as Corbett Country. The legendary hunter, conservationist and naturalist Jim Corbett is close to the heart of all residents of Kumaon hills. Ashish claims Corbett is his sage. After reading Man Eaters of Kumaon one cannot but be astonished by his courage and understanding of the Jungle psyche.
[Back
to Himalayan
Tales] |
 |
Home
| Himalayan
Tales | Creative
Exploration | Jungle
Rules | Enable
Change
Cricket Safari | Civilization
Unveiled | We
the People | Contact
us |
|
