Dehradun: The remote village of Nabi in Pithoragarh district, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is setting a remarkable example in self-employment and tourism. Villagers have collectively transformed the entire village into a hub of homestays. This initiative, started in 2017 with the efforts of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, is now writing a new success story. What began with just a few houses has now reshaped the entire village. In the last nine years, more than 200 families have joined the homestay initiative.
These traditional Kumaoni-style houses, built with stone and wood, are proving highly popular with tourists. Visitors from far and wide are reaching Nabi to experience the rich culture of the Byans Valley, traditional attire, local cuisine, and authentic village lifestyle. With homestays operating successfully, the village sees a steady flow of tourists, providing good income to residents without forcing them to leave their homes.
The success of Nabi village is now inspiring other regions of Uttarakhand. Inspired by this model, the Uttarakhand Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Forest Department, is fast-tracking plans to develop tourist stays in traditional Chhaniyas (seasonal shepherd shelters) in the scenic Dudhatoli-Binsar area of Pauri Garhwal district and at Jhalka Danda track near Nagthat in the Jaunsar region of Dehradun district. These will be managed by local communities.
Under the Forest Department’s Eco-Tourism Policy, this ambitious project aims to bring tourists closer to Himalayan nature while proving to be a milestone in making local villagers self-reliant.
About Dudhatoli Dudhatoli is a mountain range in the Middle Himalayas, located near the geographical centre of Uttarakhand. It stretches approximately 25 km in a north-south direction. Its highest peak, Musa ka Kotha, stands at about 3,114 metres (10,217 feet). The range extends from Thalisain tehsil in Pauri Garhwal to Gairsain in Chamoli and touches the borders of Almora.
The traditional Chhaniyas — temporary shelters made of wood and stone used by herders in the forests of Dudhatoli — are now set to bring a new revolution in tourism. This initiative will strengthen Uttarakhand’s eco-tourism model and offer visitors a unique chance to live in dense forests and connect with the ancient Himalayan way of life. These shelters are usually located near high-altitude bugyals (meadows) offering stunning views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
Jhalka Danda Jhalka Danda is a beautiful location in Dehradun district situated at around 7,000 feet above sea level. It lies just a 3 km steep climb from Nagthat on the Chakrata-Mussoorie road, approximately 90 km from Dehradun — making it an ideal weekend trekking spot with three main access routes.
Similar to the revival plan for Dudhatoli’s Chhaniyas, developing the shelters at Jhalka Danda for tourists could prove to be a milestone for rural tourism. The Jaunsar region is famous for its distinctive wood carvings and beautiful houses that beautifully combine stone and wood. Staying in these Chhaniyas will allow tourists to experience authentic Jaunsari culture and traditional lifestyle, something not possible in modern concrete hotels.
Since these Chhaniyas are made primarily from natural materials (wood, stone, and mud), they have minimal environmental impact, making this an excellent example of sustainable tourism. These shelters, once used only by shepherds in remote bugyals and forests, are now ready to mark their presence on the world tourism map.
Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Garbyal said that traditional Chhaniyas located on established trekking routes are being converted into homestays in collaboration with the Forest Department. This is an ambitious project under the Eco-Tourism Policy aimed at making local communities self-reliant and promoting Himalayan tourism.
This initiative will not only bring tourists closer to the ancient lifestyle and pristine nature of the Himalayas but will also establish a new model of sustainable development and self-employment in remote rural areas. Nabi village has already proven that community efforts can truly transform and enrich villages.
