The seven-day Himal Kala Sutra Bird and Forest Festival began in Sarmoli village, Munsiyari on Monday with an aim to create awareness of the connection between humans and nature through birdwatching and cultural activities including art, photography, stories that get expressed through creative writing, movement and drama.
The week long festival will have birding workshop comprising walks, stories and art activities headed by noted birders from across the country and by local bird guides; nature walks to learn about flora, fauna, stories, art woven around the lived experience in and around Van Panchayat; creative art, weaving and writing workshop to take forward stories and folklore around birds that were shared in the first Bird Festival organized at Sarmoli in 2014; creative movement workshop around themes from everyday lives and a youth day with local schools in the Gori valley and from adjoining areas.
It is being organized by the communities of Sarmoli and Shankhdhura, Mesar Forest Fair, Himal Prakriti, Himalayan Ark, Jungli School, Maati, and Kalpavriksh (Pune/Delhi) with material support from the Uttarakhand Forest Department.
On May 17, at the Mesar forest fair, there will be performances by local and visiting artistes, an exhibition by top photographers from the area and outside, food stalls, discussions and interaction with school and college going students and youth apart from presentation of the lok Prakriti Puraskar for Conservation.
The Gori valley has almost half the birds species found in the State of Uttarakhand (323 out of 685 species). Since 2013, the local communities in Munsiyari have grown in their knowledge and interest in birds and have been joined in this by Himal Prakriti, Himalayan Ark, Kalpavriksh, Uttarakhand Forest Department, Bombay Natural History Society, Himalayan Education Foundation and many a keen birder and researchers. The local villagers including guides have also attended both the Uttarakhand Bird Festivals organised by the Forest Department at Asan in 2014 and Pawalgarh in February 2015.
A number of publications and products have been made, including an updated birds of Munsiyari checklist, posters and post cards.