DISTRICT: CHAMOLI

DISTRICT: CHAMOLI

Auli - The Entry Point of Niti Valley and A Popular Ski Destination Pic - JP

Chamoli, reputed for its shrines and temples, and birth place of 'Chipko Movement' is one of the hill districts of Uttarakhand. Chamoli significance lies in its spectacular natural assets, picturesque location, valley aspects, water-edges, floristic varieties, and dramatic landform. Gopeshwar is the District HQ of Chamoli and is located at a distance of 205 km by road (off NH-58) from the nearest rail-head of Rishikesh.

The list of villages selected under the project in Chamoli district is as follows

List of Cluster and Corresponding Villages in Chamoli District

S.N.	Cluster	Name of Village	Block	Number of Households	Total Population
1	Urgam	Devgram	Joshimath	67	346
2		Urgam	Joshimath	313	1549
3	Devali Bagar	Devali Bagar	Joshimath	1076	1933
4	Niti	Niti	Joshimath	29	47
5	Lata	Lata	Joshimath	84	305

DESCRIPTION OF CLUSTERS AND SELECTED VILLAGES

Cluster-1: Urgam Cluster

Two villages in Urgam cluster namely Devgram, and Urgam, having scope of tourism related livelihood activities are proposed to be undertaken for this sub-project under IDIPT.

Urgam is located at a distance of 253 km from Rishikesh, on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road diverting to the left just before Helang and then following a 12 km motorable road.  The famous Kalpeshwar temple is located in the Urgam valley of the Himalayan mountain range. It is just 3.5 km trek to reach Kalpeshwar from Urgam and situated at an elevation of 2,200 m in the picturesque Urgam valley in Chamoli district. The Kalpeshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and its ancient legend linked to the Pandavas, heroes of epic Mahabharata eminence is the fifth temple of the Panch Kedars (five temples) of Shiva’s five anatomical divine forms; the other four temples in the order of their worship are Kedarnath, Rudranath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheshwar temples; all in the Kedar Khand region of the Garhwal Himalayas. Kalpeshwar is the only Panch Kedar temple accessible throughout the year. At this small stone temple, approached through a cave passage, the matted tress (jata) of Lord Shiva is worshipped. Boodha Kedar temple surrounded by potato fields is seen on the trek route. Also seen is the Dhyan Badri temple at Urgam Village, one of the Sapt Badri (seven Badri) temples.  Adventurous Visitor also move to the another Shiva temple Rudranath from Urgam valley. Therefore, it is the place where both pilgrims and adventurous tourist passed through. 

Cluster-2: Devali Bagar

Village Devali Bagar is located on Rishikesh -Badrinath road at a distance of 12 km from Nandprayag and 232 km from Dehradun. Situated at the bank of River Alaknanda, Devali Bagar is a winter habitation of Botia tribe migrating seasonally from Malari and Jumma villages situated in Niti valley around 60 kms form Joshimath. Bhotias has unique traditional culture remained always a subject of discussion among the foreigners. The folk dance, food and beverages and clothing are their main attraction. 

Cluster-3: Lata Cluster

Nanda Devi Peak from Lata Village - Photo - J.P.Panwar

Lata village is situated along the river Dhauli Ganga in district Chamoli about 25 km drive to northeast from Joshimath and about 300 km from state capital Dehradun. Visitors walk about 1.5 km to reach Lata village from nearest road head. Situated at an elevation of 2317 meter above sea level is last human habitat from Joshimath to visit Nanda Devi National Park. 

Lata village serve as base camp for tourist visiting Nanda Devi National Park. The Nanda Devi National Park, established in 1982, is an area around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816 m).  Along with the adjoining Valley of Flowers National Park to the northwest, it was inscribed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. Nanda Devi National Park covers an area of 630.33 km2 and together with Valley of Flowers National Park is encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve totaling a protected area of 2,236.74 km2 (863.61 sq m), which is surrounded by a buffer zone of 5,148.57 km2. This Reserve is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2004. 

Cluster-4: Niti Cluster

The Niti is a small village situated about 80 km from Joshimath and 293 km from Dehradun. Niti, located at an elevation of 3,600 m, is the most important village of the valley. To the north of this village is the Niti Pass (5,800 m) leading to southern Tibet. The region receives heavy snowfall during winter season. The inhabitants of the valley move from  their villages to lower Himalayan villages like Kaudia, Chinka during the winter season where they stay from November to March every year.  

The last village at Indian border Niti is approached by tourists only with a valid permission from local authorities. No one, other than locals, is permitted to stay and visit this village. However, permission till Gamshali village is not required. Niti village is inhabited by Bhotia Tribe involved in sheep, goat rearing and cash crop farming during the summer period.