A Song of Resistance- Van Panchayat’s of Uttarakhand
Storyteller: Harsh Mohan Bhakuni
Village Sarmoli, Munsiari, District Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
Read this story in Hindi
Uttarakhand is the only state in India where people still have traditional community rights over forests, known as Van Panchayats. Around 100 years ago, the people of the Himalayan region took back control of their forests from the British after a long and bitter struggle. The lives of mountain communities still rely heavily on these forests for firewood, fodder, water, grazing, and farming. These forests are deeply connected to the livelihoods and culture of the right holders of the Van Panchayat. However, due to increasing urbanization and government interference, these communities are losing their rightful control over their Van Panchayats.
This song of resistance celebrates the beauty and richness of these Himalayan forests and calls for the people to continue their fight. It’s not just about protecting land and natural resources; it’s also about preserving the identity and dignity of the people of Uttarakhand. It’s a battle for survival, urging forest-dependent communities to stand strong and protect both their forests and their future.
Meet the storyteller
Harsh Mohan Bhakuni
Harsh Mohan has spent the 25 years of his life in Sarmoli village, located right across the Panchachuli mountain range and his wish is to stay here for the rest of his life. When he gets a chance, he has the habit of sitting alone in nature, gazing at the mountains and relishing the quietness. Harsh likes watching science fiction films and plays the 'Backi' position in football. His dream is to open his own café one day.
हर्ष मोहन ने अपने जीवन के 25 वर्ष पंचाचूली पर्वत श्रृंखला के ठीक पार स्थित सरमोली गाँव में बिताए हैं और उनकी इच्छा है कि वे अपना शेष जीवन यहीं रहें। जब भी मौका मिलता है, प्रकृति में अकेले बैठना, पहाड़ों को निहारना और शांति का आनंद लेना उसकी आदत है। हर्ष को साइंस फिक्शन फिल्में देखना पसंद है और वह फुटबॉल में 'बैकी' की भूमिका निभाते हैं। उनका सपना एक दिन अपना खुद का कैफे खोलने का है।
Voices of Rural India
Voices of Rural India is a not-for-profit digital initiative that took birth during the pandemic lockdown of 2020 to host curated stories by rural storytellers, in their own voices. With nearly 80 stories from 11 states of India, this platform facilitates storytellers to leverage digital technology and relate their stories through the written word, photo and video stories.
ग्रामीण भारत की आवाज़ें एक नॉट-फ़ॉर-प्रॉफ़िट डिजिटल प्लैटफ़ॉर्म है जो 2020 के महामारी लॉकडाउन के दौरान शुरू हुई थी, जिसका उद्देश्य ग्रामीण कहानीकारों द्वारा उनकी अपनी आवाज़ में कहानियों को प्रस्तुत करना है। भारत के 11 राज्यों की लगभग 80 कहानियों के साथ, यह मंच कहानीकारों को डिजिटल तकनीक का प्रयोग कर और लिखित शब्द, फ़ोटो और वीडियो कहानियों के माध्यम से अपनी कहानियाँ बताने में सक्रीय रूप से सहयोग देता है।
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