Karmi, Dhur and Khati, Bageshwar District , Kumaon, Uttarakhand
The capital of Bageshwar District, Bageshwar, is where the Saryu and Gomati Rivers meet. It nestles under the shadow of twin hills of Bhileshwar and Nileshwar. The name comes from the temple of Bagnath that overlooks the town. The valley of Bageshwar is extremely fertile and is famous for its high quality rice, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables. Bageshwar is the starting point for access routes to three important glaciers in the region – Pindari (source of the Pindar River), Sunderdhunga and Kafni.
Karmi, Dhur and Khati
After travelling up the Saryu river valley through Kapkot and Song and taking a winding road up the Himalayan foothills you come to the stunning valley which is home to the villages of Karmi and Tani. Lying at altitudes ranging from 1800-2000m, it is one of the most fertile regions of the lower Himalayas. For around 6,000 women and men, agriculture, which fills the patchwork of small terraced fields, is the primary occupation.
The village of Dhur lies at a height of about 2500m, surrounded by lush green meadows and exhilarating views of the Himalayan range including Nanda Devi and the valleys leading eventually to the three glaciers – Pindari, Kafni and Sunderdhunga. A smaller settlement of about 1,000 villagers, the village has a range of organic crops, including millet, maize, mustard, potatoes and a good range of pulses and vegetables. The village is under snow cover from November till early March.
Khati village is higher up the Pindar Valley and closer to the glaciers. A small village with a population of around 800, the immensity and beauty of the Greater Himalaya can be felt here, sitting at the last of the vegetated peaks before the glaciers begin.
Difficult accessibility has turned out to be of benefit for the region as far as farming is concerned, as the traditional practices have managed to remain organic.
Look at our pictures of the area on Flickr.
