Friday, January 21, 2011

'SHARE' Community Based Tourism Development Initiatives

Hello , Friends , 
This is the 1st day I'm starting 'our' blog writing without any experience n expertise , though am not expert /  perfect in English  you are requested to cooperate in this text . Introducing myself as a 'field coordinator' of the said title program and founder of the organization named 'SHARE' ,i.e. Support Himalayan Agro Rural Enterprises ( the brand ESTD. 2004 ) . Our 1st initiative is CHUIKHIM village , under Chel Range of Forest , Kalimpong Sub. Divn. , Darjeeling Hills , West Bengal , India. 
I would like to say few words about our 1st initiative Chuikhim , this is a really remote village under Kalimpong sub division , surrounded by forest , altitude 3000+ft. , road condition is very poor , no health center or service is available , only a very poor primary school is available for basic level education , high school is 14 kms far from village , there is no irrigation for proper cultivation or agriculture , electricity is available since last 2 years approx. The village was totally alcoholic and it was a really big social problem . It's under Rambhi P.S. (Kalimpong ) .  For different type of Social Crime the village was 'black listed' under the said police station . 
After started our said program community based activities as 'Community Based Tourism Development Program' on Jan'05 by me under the banner 'S H A R E' and a campaign against sale & consume Alcohol , the village & the community was starting to changed slowly , within one year we became able to announce about Chuikhim village strictly as 'ALCOHOL FREE Village' . By that time we had open few 'Home Stay' for Tourists and/ or special interests visitors , and 'Self Help Groups' . That's  the starting of Chuikhim Story .
But , dear friends , sad to say the 'path' was not so smooth , we didn't get any support from any leading 'community based tourism & related travel ' company . Still we are facing opposition by outsiders & other travel & tourism related companies . Though we have proved that Chuikhim is now peaceful & secured village & as special interest tourism destination too than before . 
Further , as other activities , we are really proud to announce that we are organizing 'S H A R E Cup' , The Inter Villages Soccer Tournament and Rural Himalayan Soccer talent search program through a selection program  since last six years , as a result we are successful to select 5 young soccer talents for Kolkata premier division Club . In the last year , 'SHARE Cup 2010' , 55 village teams were participants . 
Now this year we are going to start a Junior High School in association with a group of highly motivated villagers . The construction of School Building (for starting / basic level) is almost 90% completed , the fund for construction has been collected through a personal loan by a villagers, named Tikaram Chhetri , and the half acre land is donated by Damber Sing Gurung , a 75 years old villager . Now 'S H A R E' is committed wholeheartedly to the Chuikhim village / community people to support to The School run successfully .
Moreover , I would like to say Special Thanks to our respected & loving friends , visitors , a nos of responsible tourists & Media persons those are really so caring , responsible , helpful for our initiatives since day one .Those are real inspiration & motivation for  US . Surely I would like to introduce with them on my next day writing .


Thank You , 
regards ,


yours ,
Prasanta Mallik
(Photo Journalist & 
Community  Based Activist)


 

1 comment:

  1. Dear Mr Mallick,
    It has really been a commendable task for you as well as the villagers of Chuikhim. You have really shown others what one can achieve if one really wishes to do so. Hats off to Chuikhim!

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