Kanwa Ashram (Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand) - A Tourism Destination

LOCATION

The Kanwashram area is not a separate revenue village, it comes under Bhim Singh Pur Gram Pancyat. Bhimsingh Pur is a Village in KotdwarTehsil in Pauri Garhwal District of Uttarakhand State, India. It is located 112 KM towards South from District head quarters Pauri and 147 KM from State capital Dehradun. Bhimsingh Pur is surrounded by Ekeshwar tehsil towards East, Lansdowne tehsil towards East , Yamkeshwar tehsil towards west , Pokhra tehsil towards East. 

Kanwashram is a village situated in the Bhabar area of Shivalik foot hills with shal, shagon (Shorea robusta) vegetation on surrounding area. This Himalayan village is located at Duggada block of Pauri district in Uttarakhand State of India at a height of about 369 meters from sea level on the Kotdwar Bhim Singh Pur road. The nearest town is Kotdwar at about 12 km.  This serene village lies at foothills of Shivalik range with the geographical coordinates of Latitude

30.19 and longitude 78.04. The southern edge of the Siwalik Range merges with a narrow bed of gravel and alluvium known as the Bhabar, which interfaces to the southeast with the marshy terrain known as the Tarai. The combined Siwalik-Bhabar-Tarai area ranges in elevation from 1,000 to 10,000 feet (300 to 3,000 metres).  Due to its lower height and geographical location, the climate of the area falls under temperate zone. Although the average weather during summer months is approximately 30 degrees Celsius, but it also touches 42 degree C. During summer months, the scorching heat of sun becomes unbearable for the inhabitants. And during winter months, the temperature varies from 5 degree C to 30 degree C. Winter mornings are foggy and quite inviting. Winter months are the best time to explore the beauty of the area. The region experience heavy rainfall during monsoons. During monsoon months, the weather become quite pleasant as there is a drop in temperature. Monsoon is considered the best time to enjoy the foothills.

The village area is popular for its dense forests and varied vegetation. The most visible trees include dense mixed sal, Sheesham interwoven with bamboo, tall and short grasses. The flora of the region offers a favorable haunt for wild animals. Also, visitors can find other trees such as Jamun, Kanju, and Aamla. Tendu, Bel, Mahua, Kusum and some artificial planted trees in the area to lend appeal to the forest. Some of them include Teak, Eucalyptus, Silver Oak, and Bottlebrush. The largest group of plant species is the grasses. There are more than 70 species of grasses, occupying different habitats, especially the chaurs. A very common plant that forms the important part of the vegetation in the area is Ardisia solanacea. It is a succulent plant that fights scarcity of water for animals during dry seasons. There are about 51 species of shrubs and 33 species of bamboo.

The climatic conditions prevailing in this area makes it a safe habitat of rare and endangered wildlife species. Many wild animals can be spotted in various area of the region easily. Tiger is one of the most celebrated wild animals found in the forests of terai-bhabar region. Visitors can also spot Asian elephants in the area easily. Earlier, these elephants were found in less number in the area but their numbers have significantly increased in the recent years. They are found all throughout the area, but can be easily sighted in adjoin park area. The four species of deer, Chital, Hog deer, Sambar and Braking deer are found in the area. Leopards, primates, Himalayan goral, wild boar, Asiatic jackal and otters are found in the nearby forest. Tarai Bhabar is a home for more than 600 species and sub species of birds. The major birds found here are peacock, pheasant, pigeon, and owl. Barbet, lark, myna, eagle, duck, falcon, and bulbul.

SOCIO ECONOMIC FEATURES

Bhim Singh Pur (Kanwashram) is a medium size village with total 143 families residing. The Bhim Singh Pur village has population of 683 of which 329 are males while 354 are females as per Population Census 2011. In Bhim Singh Pur village, population of children with age 0-6 is 94 which makes up 13.76 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of village is 1076 which is higher than Uttarakhand state average of 963. Child Sex Ratio for the Bhim Singh Pur as per census is 1089, higher than Uttarakhand average of 890. 

Bhim Singh Pur village has higher literacy rate compared to Uttarakhand. In 2011, literacy rate of Bhim Singh Pur village was 85.91% compared to 78.82% of Uttarakhand. In Bhim Singh Pur Male literacy stands at 94.01% while female literacy rate was 78.36%

Dabral, Rawat, Uniyal, Dobriyal are the dominant cast in the village who belong to both Hindu Rajput and Brahmin category.  This is followed by the schedule caste with total 6 families. 

The total cultivable land available in both the village is 45.22 hectare. The entire cultivable land is irrigated by canal system originated from nearby Malini River and designed by British officer. The amount of land holding for cultivation in Uttarakhand very limited due to increasing population and wide area under forest department. The graph indicated that 53% families have less than half hectare cultivable land. It was also revealed by villagers that land near to forest area has been abounded by villagers due to crop loss by wild animals. Solar fencing was also created to protect crop from elephant, dear, sambhar etc. But, in the absence of proper absence of operation and maintenance the fencing has become defunct.

Since a large cultivable area in village is under marginal holdings, which drive people to cultivate high profit crop such as seasonal, off seasonal vegetable and develop orchard of mango, anwala, guava etc. Families have large land holding sustaining their income from selling cash crop and fruits.

The soil of tarai bhabar region is very fertile and support to number of crops. Indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides makes the soil of this region less fertile, causing the reduction in the sustainability in productivity.  Productivity of land in the village is very high. Agriculture is the secondary occupation of the people as most of the families migrated to this village from hill areas. Khariff and Rabi are two major cropping seasons. The main Khariff crops are rice, Urd, Moong and till, and the Rabi crops are wheat, barley, Gram, Masoor, Mustard, Sunflower etc. The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers is widespread. Chemical fertilizers are almost universally used, reported by 95% of the families. But, now some families have started organic farming and certified by Organic board, Uttarakhand.

Productivity of agriculture almost remained stagnant in the village over the past one decade except increase in the case of cash crops. The productivity of wheat and rice in the village is at par with the national average. 

The area under commercial crops in village is increasing.  There has been a significant growth in the area under fruits and vegetables particularly orchards and seasonal off seasonal vegetable.  As a result, both production and productivity of vegetables recorded an impressive increase in the village. This has become one of the additional sources of income for the villagers. Agriculture in village is closely interlinked with animal husbandry and forestry to form a production system. Marginal and small farmers are heavily dependent on the livestock sector as it is not only a source of milk and draught power. These animals, in turn largely depend on forests for their feed. There has been a decline in the growth of population of goat, which could be attributed to the restriction on free grazing by forest department. Also, the decline in the growth of cattle population is indicative of the declining value of cows for the production of bullocks as draught animals. Farmers told that increasing use of tractor in farming has reduced the scope of bullock as drought power. 

ATTRACTION FOR TOURIST IN AND AROUND THE VILLAGE

The key attractions for tourist in and around the village are following.

S.N	Attraction	Description
1	Kanwashram	The area is an important destination from historical and archaeological point of view. As per documents and local people, Shakuntala born and brought up in this place by sage Kanva. Shakuntala later got married with Dushyant, the ruler of Hastinapur, and gave birth to prince Bharat. It is by virtue of this name - Bharat - which India came to be called Bharatvarsha and thus Bharat.  Around 10,000 pupils used to get education in the ashram by Kanva Rishi in ancient times and hence the valley is also known as Kanvaghati. Famous ancient Indian Poet Kalidas wrote his famous krati “Abhigyan Shakuntlam” at this place and described the natural beauty of the place. Forest department has opened northern entry to Corbett National Park from Kotdwar side. Tourist visiting Corbett National Park can also visit to this place.
2	Rich flora and fauna	The area is blessed with rich biodiversity which includes dense rich forest of Sal and associates, presence of rich fauna like elephants, Tiger, Panther, Bears, Dears, Four horned antelopes and hundred species of birds. This place may be major attraction for nature lover, trekkers including bird watchers.
3	Malini River	Malini is small river flows along the Kanwashram. Department of Tourism has planned for lake development at this place which will offer an additional tourism product for visitor.
4	Yoga and meditation	The “Gurukul” is already operational in Kanwashram where student practice ancient knowledge of Vedas, Sanskrit, yoga, meditation etc. The Visitors interested in Yoga, meditation can learn here ancient way of life.
5	Jim Corbett Park	The forest department has opened north entry to Corbett National Park from Kotdwar side. This place can offer a major staying destination for visitors interested jungle safari.
6	Cultural life of local community	The villages around the Kanwasharam have semi urban life style. However, the villages of Uttarakhand are culturally very rich. The peculiar traditional housing pattern, costumes, fair festival, food, folk music and dances, agriculture practices and animal husbandry practices can attract visitors across the world. Villages have a very simple, yet delicious cuisine. The food is nutritious as well as tasty. Coarse grain with high fiber content is very common in Uttarakhand cuisines. Music is an integral part of the Uttarakhand culture. The calm and serene ambiance of this place surrounded with hills and mountains has inspired many musicians to compose great tones. Some of the popular folk songs are `Mandals`, `panwaras` and somber `khuded`, `thadya` and `jhoda`.these folk songs are composed on the beats and nodes of Dhol, damoun, turri, ransingha, dholki, daur, thali, bhankora and masakbhaja. Though, many traditional practices are gradually disappearing from the village. Promotion of rural tourism may revive the traditional culture of the villages.
7	Deer Park	The park is located 1.5 km away from the village has different species of deers.