|
 Aiming
to safeguard wildlife protection in one of India's young and
lesser known Protected Areas, the Neora Valley Jungle Camp is
one step towards sustainable development options in this remote area.
The endangered Red Panda has lost parts of its natural
habitat. Bamboo as the main feeding plant had been replaced by other
plants, often timber trees. Additionally, population growth is resulting
in increasing demand for settling area. Converting the present situation
into the establishment of a community forest reserve is the paramount
goal of the initiative. Communities have started reforestation and the
need for improved education and entertainment facilities for the youth
that before shot birds with their catapults as a time-pass has been
addressed.
Location
- The Neora Valley Jungle Camp is located at an altitude
of 1868m at Kolakham village in the Kalimpong Hills of Darjeeling
District, on the fringe of Neora Valley Nationalpark.
The National Park with its dense forests
is located on the tri-junction of Bhutan, Sikkim and West-Bengal. It
extends from 30 m of altitude up to 3200 m on an area of only 88
square km. Though this sounds rather small, it has to be
considered that due to the topographical features the surface of the
Park is much larger. Neora Valley offers a unique eco-system
consisting of tropical, sub-tropical, sub-temperate, and temperate
vegetative systems. Rhododendron, sal, oak, bamboo, ferns etc.
form the forest and a variety of orchids is found within. The National
Park is home to many endangered species like the red
panda, the musk deer, and the clouded leopard.
The Camp itself is a sophisticated
combination of local atmosphere and modern amenities. Situated
on a hill above Kolakham village, it consists of three four-bedded
attics, plus one double-bedded honeymoon suite. A tastefully furnished
dining cum commons area with an attached tea room cum library are
guaranteeing community without hampering the desire for privacy. All
buildings are constructed in ethnic style with maximum
usage of local materials. Good weather conditions provided, majestic
Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, can
be seen atop the lush green valleys. The warm light of candles and oil
lamps makes one fast forget the lack of electricity. The absence of
artificial light is honored by views of an incredibly rich starry sky.
Staff for kitchen, service,
housekeeping, maintenance and guiding come from near-by Kolakham
village. After intensive training they today add a local note to the
professional service and set-up.
Fresh ingredients from adjoining farms
are combined into traditional meals of the Nepali cuisine.
Continental and Indian dishes are available on demand.
Performances of local dance and music
groups allow insights into the rich culture of the valley's Rai
population.
Cardamom is a major crop and guests can
observe the processing of the fresh fruit into the roasted spice. Some
villagers still know the techniques of weaving maize and paddy straw
into sitting mats.
Various self-help groups like sewing or
culture groups have been initiated to provide alternative and additional
livelihood options for the villagers. Family planning workshops are
offered to address the problem of unintended population growth.
In order to establish a community owned
reserve forest 1 000 tree seedlings have been distributed and planted
during a great ceremony in summer 2007. Aim of this measure is to add
natural resources to the village's assets, thus extending the Red
Panda's habitat. Local youth is educated about the wildlife through SWAP
(Save Wildlife Awareness Programme).
Besides the villagers themselves, the
community tourism project is supported by the Forest Department, the
travel trade, a population planning NGO, various bird watching groups
and few private sponsors
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