Kalagarh Nature Festival: A Celebration of New Beginnings

Written by Pawan Singh Papola and Rijuta Dutt  Photos by Pawan Singh Papola Translated into English by Rijuta Dutt and Gokul Mer

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Region: Uttarakhand  Organisation: Chakhuli, Titli Trust, Jeevan Deep Samiti

Area of Work: Biodiversity, Conservation, and Environment

About Kalagarh Nature Festival:

Kalagarh Nature Festival was organised with the intention to promote responsible and community-led tourism in the remote Rathuwadhab region of Uttarakhand. Despite being part of Jim Corbett National Park, this area has largely remained untouched by mainstream tourism. The festival aims to showcase the region's rich biodiversity while empowering local communities.

Conservation isn't just about saving nature; it's about strengthening the connections between people, land, and culture - this principle guided the Kalagarh Nature Festival, held at Rathuwadhab and Dhontiyal, a unique initiative designed to introduce tourism to the lesser-known region of Uttarakhand. While Kalagarh is part of Jim Corbett National Park, it has largely remained overlooked by mainstream tourism due to its remote location and limited infrastructure.

The festival, organised by Chakhuli, a youth-led conservation group in collaboration with the Titli Trust, Jivan Deep Samiti, and supported by the Uttarakhand Forest Department and the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, aimed to showcase responsible tourism rooted in local knowledge. Initially, many residents couldn't imagine tourism of this kind—slow, community-led, and respectful. While concerns about pollution, exploitation, and cultural erosion existed, the model gradually shifted perceptions. It empowered local guides, homestay hosts, and artisans, proving that tourism could be beneficial to the community.

The inaugural Kalagarh Nature Festival saw 20 paid participants from cities like Dehradun, Chennai, Nashik, Delhi, and Gurgaon. The festival offered them a unique opportunity to explore the region's remarkable biodiversity. Guided walks during the event identified over 150 bird species, highlighting Kalagarh's ecological richness. For many participants, the festival was much more than just a bird-watching trip. The opportunity to observe rare species such as the West Himalayan Bush Warbler, Smoky Warbler, Silver-eared Mesia, Black-chinned Yuhina, and Siberian Rubythroat made the event particularly special.

The inauguration became a memorable moment, with the presence of the Range Officer, local community members, and school children, further strengthening the event's connection to the local ecosystem and community.

Beauty and Unique Biodiversity

The ecological wealth of both Rathuwadhab and Dhotiyaal lies in the relatively remote forests of Kalagarh, marked by the Ramganga River and dense expanses of sal, sheesham, and semal trees. Kalagarh Tiger Reserve (KTR) is a significant part of the western section of Jim Corbett National Park and is home to diverse flora and fauna.

The festival aimed to raise awareness about the biodiversity protected by Kalagarh Tiger Reserve, provide opportunities to observe species in their natural habitat, and emphasize the importance of conserving such vital landscapes. For many attendees, it was a transformative experience, connecting them to birds they had previously seen only in books or pictures.

The birdwatching trails also became opportunities for locals and guides to share natural history and local folklore about nature, as well as insights about the region’s plants, wildlife patterns, and seasonal changes. Most of these guides were trained under a nature guide program run by Titli Trust in collaboration with the Uttarakhand State Biodiversity Board and the Uttarakhand Forest Department. This experience helped visitors connect deeply with the region and instilled pride among locals about their knowledge. Additionally, it showcased that nature and bird guiding could become viable livelihood opportunities, especially for the youth and women, who often overlook such prospects.

While birdwatching was the main attraction, the festival also promoted ethical bird-watching practices. Participants were given badges as symbols of their commitment to respecting wildlife and ensuring their actions didn’t disrupt the natural balance. A brochure titled Birds of Kalagarh Tiger Reserve and a Checklist of Birds of Kalagarh were released at the nature festival.

A film titled Whisper of Wings, Birds of Rathuwadhab, made by Green Hub, was released during the festival showcasing the beauty of Kalagarh Tiger Reserve, its biodiversity, and the collective efforts of local communities, conservationists, and the government to protect it. The film highlighted the challenges of conservation amidst developmental pressures and climate change, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to preserve KTR’s biodiversity.

Amrjeet Kaur, a scientist from the Wildlife Institute of India who specialises in bird research, joined the festival to deliver a lecture on her PhD subject, focusing on Barn Swallows in the Indian Himalayan region, with an emphasis on community involvement in their preservation. She highlighted, 'The festival facilitated insightful discussions on various issues. One of the key points I strongly agree with is the importance of involving women and young girls in birding and as nature guides. It's crucial to provide them with exposure and create opportunities for them in this field.'

Vijaya Singh, a participant, shared that she has been birding for the past four years and feels deeply connected to nature. 'The joy of enjoying nature and birding as an activity with a group really enhances the experience, allowing you to learn so much from the locals and others about things you might otherwise miss. This festival was very well planned, and the details about the day were shared in advance, making it a great experience. Another interesting aspect was how we shifted terrains, from the riverside to the fields, jungle, and mountains.'

Shifting Perceptions: The Local Perspective

Initially, many locals couldn’t imagine that tourism could be slow, community-led, and respectful. Concerns about pollution and cultural erosion were widespread, but the Kalagarh Nature Festival presented a new vision: one where tourism empowered locals instead of harming them.

Shiwank, Chakhuli’s founder and owner of the Corbett Raje Homestay where the festival was hosted, began integrating sustainability efforts like waste management and giving locally sourced food a priority. He learned from visitors, conservationists, and others he encountered during his time in Rathuwadhab, hosting them at his homestay. His sustainability efforts developed gradually, shaped by his interactions with various people who helped expand his understanding of environmentally conscious practices and birding. During the festival, participants didn’t just stay overnight; they immersed themselves in discussions, film screenings, and reflections on nature and community.

One particularly inspiring story came from a young boy who set up a small stall at the festival, selling local spices and dal. "Pehli baar laga ki hum bhi kuch kar sakte hain," he said, reflecting his newfound confidence.

"People here know their forests well," Shivank shared. "But they didn’t realise this knowledge could be an opportunity. The festival showed them that visitors are genuinely interested in learning about our birds and environment." The festival inspired many locals, especially youth and women, to explore careers in nature guiding, a path often overlooked due to the dominance of traditional livelihoods. There has also been a lack of role models, particularly women, in the field, and this has hindered local women from exploring careers in nature guiding.

Taukeer, one of Garhwal’s most experienced ethical nature guides and an organising member of the festival, said, "We organised four days of a community-led festival, bringing together locals, women, and schools. This is just the beginning of responsible tourism in the region, and it’s a great start."

For residents, the turning point came when they witnessed eco-conscious travellers valuing their knowledge and respecting their spaces. Sharing home-cooked meals and exchanging stories fostered meaningful dialogue, where locals saw themselves not just as service providers but as hosts.

Sanjay Sondhi of the Titli Trust explained the core philosophy of the festival: "This initiative aims to promote responsible tourism by involving local communities, rather than adopting large-scale tourism models." Through its efforts, the Titli Trust is not only protecting the region's biodiversity but also empowering local youth by training them as natural guides, ensuring that the benefits of ecotourism stay within the community. Additionally, forest panchayats and biodiversity management committees are being strengthened to give local bodies an active role in promoting sustainable tourism.

One of the gypsy drivers shared, 'Festivals and events like these, along with conscious tourism promotion, are great initiatives for us drivers to find livelihoods, and even for local farmers and artists. Exposure to such opportunities helps us gain confidence, knowing that we too are doing something right.'

One memorable moment was when a child, who had learned about conservation through Chakhuli’s programs, chose to carry his trash home after a nature walk—a simple yet powerful sign of change taking root in the community.

Role of Youth and Schools

Chakhuli has been working on educational programs related to conservation, bird watching, ethical nature observation, and waste management in the area. These programs, run in local schools, aim to instill conservation habits early on. During the festival, these students were invited to join for a day of nature walks and birdwatching.

One young participant shared how learning about nature had changed his perspective: "I never thought about what happens to waste before. Now I understand why taking our trash back matters. I often stuff things in my backpack to dispose of them properly." This reflects a wider shift among children involved in Chakhuli’s programs, who are learning about conservation and practicing responsible habits like carrying their trash home. This newfound awareness among youth extended the festival’s impact well beyond the immediate event.

Chakhuli believes that fostering conservation habits early can shift how communities relate to their surroundings and build pride in local resources. They also aim to integrate more civic awareness into their work, fostering a broader sense of community responsibility.

Community-Led Tourism: A Successful Model

The Kalagarh Nature Festival focused on controlled, community-centered tourism. Small paid groups were guided by locals who shared in-depth knowledge of the area. Homestay hosts welcomed visitors into their homes, offering a genuine glimpse into local culture. Storytelling film screenings sparked deeper conversations, further enriching the experience.

Lasting Impact and Future Vision

The Kalagarh Nature Festival didn’t just create fond memories; it shifted perceptions and sparked new ideas.

Going forward, Chakhuli plans to expand these efforts to nearby villages, aiming to integrate more civic awareness into their work and involve more residents in eco-tourism practices. The goal is to develop tourism that grows thoughtfully, preserving Kalagarh's unique identity and environment.

"Tourism doesn’t have to overwhelm a place," Shivang said. "If we start right, we can create a model where visitors leave inspired and locals feel proud of what they’ve shared." Shivang reflects, "Rathuwadhab, in terms of development to host tourists, is in a very nascent stage. In whichever direction we take it, that’s how the landscape and livelihood will be shaped. Exposing the locals to sustainable tourism is the right way to ensure that we start right."