Uttarakhand is known for its rich and vast biodiversity. It has mountains, rivers, forests, lakes, valleys, a vast variety of animals and flowers, birds and butterflies. Its natural splendour has been inspiring poets and spiritual seekers down the ages.
On the eve of World Environment Day, it would be apt to recount the various eco friendly events that Uttarakhand had been holding to promote ecotourism and to celebrate its vibrant biodiversity. For many years now, the Spring Festival (Vasantotsav) is celebrated at Raj Bhawan, Dehradun every February-March. It brings under one roof the floral diversity of the State besides its horticultural products. Cultural presentations in the form of folk dances and music of the hill State are also part of Vasantotsav. The 5th Uttarakhand Spring Bird Festival was held in March this year for which the main site was Thano where guided bird watching, heritage walks, photography workshops, film shows, activities for children and cultural performances were organised. At Jhilmil Jheel, guided bird-watching was conducted.
Recently, the three-day Tehri lake festival concluded where there was a grand mix of adventure, fun, entertainment, natural beauty and cultural activity. It attracted a large number of tourists as the summer tourist season in the State is now at its peak. On May 31 began the Butterfly Festival which is being held for the first time in Uttarakhand and will go up to June 2.It has been organsied at Devalsari in Tehri by Titli Trust and Devalsari Environment Protection Society that consists of villagers.
More than 140 species of butterflies and 250 species of moths have been recorded and identified at Devalsari. The area is home to some stunning butterflies such as the Common Peacock (Uttarakhand’s State Butterfly), Golden Emperor, Bluetail Jester, Brown Argus, Siren, Grand Duchess, Western Courtier, Wonderful Hairstreak, Water Hairstreak, Fawn Hairstreak and Walnut Blue amongst many others. With more than 500 species of butterflies, and innumerable moth species,
Uttarakhand is a haven for butterfly and moth watchers. Titli Trust now plans to have two “Titli Utsavs” every year at different locations, pre- and post-monsoon, based on suitability of the location.
These fests will help promote lesser-known destinations in Uttarakhand, ensure benefits to local communities through community ecotourism and to support the conservation of butterflies and moths. Devalsari lies in the Aglar Valley, in the Tehri district. The snow-capped peaks of the Middle Himalayas loom in the distance and there are marvellous deodar, oak and rhododendron forests, surrounded by terraced fields.
Sanjay Sondhi of Titli Trust, Dehradun, says that it is proposed to establish an annual butterfly festival at Devalsari.
He said that activities underway at the Titli Utsav are guided butterfly watching trails, Butterfly and moth quizzes, a Butterfly and moth painting workshop for children and teaching people how to photograph butterflies and moths. Butterfly and moth identification workshops. Morning and evening bird-watching (optional) Talks on Butterflies and Moths in Indian culture, “Dehradun : An Amazing World of Butterflies” and how to set up a butterfly garden in your home will be part of this festival.
Such events will surely encourage eco-tourism as they strengthen the community’s participation in eco-tourism so that the benefits could percolate down to the locals.
Eco-tourism should be used as a tool for conservation and development. It should help the local communities to improve their livelihood and it should be sustainable.
Eco-tourism also ensures that there is no destruction to the natural and cultural environment. The infrastructure for eco- tourism should be developed in harmony with nature and the benefits should go to the locals. The emphasis should be on conserving local flora and fauna. Bird watching, canoeing, rock climbing, butterfly festival and white water rafting are included in eco tourism.
Such activities can go a long way in promoting ecotourism in this hill State that is rich in biodiversity and needs initiatives that would help maintain the balance between preserving the environment and promoting tourism on which the hill economy is dependent
With the Titli Utsav beginning in Tehri this summer, another eco friendly, colourful event has been added to the cultural and environmental calendar of the state that boasts of a vast variety of flora and fauna .