TM Vol 2, Issue 7 FAMOUS MONASTERIES IN BHUtaN Responsibly & Sustainably BUDNI LacQUER CRAFT FAMILY HOMEStaY KatHMANDU SAGARESHwaR MAN MADE • Meet the artisans... • experience their work and learn... WILDLIFE SANCTUARY • Bond with the coMMunity... • experience local culture... • stay in a typical rural hoMe... THE AMAZING POTENTIAL OF • contriBute to environMent, choose BAMBOO GRASS an eco resort... • conserve wildlife, Biodiversity... THE FIRST ALL-WOMEN TRAVEL BE A RESPONSIBLE TOURIST! COMPANY IN LaDAKH ARTICLE BUDNI LacQUER CRAFT n the banks of river used and the machines are run of these wood lacquer craftsmen. Narmada (Madhya on electricity. Simple chisels and While the Kutch (Gujarat, West O Pradesh, Central India), gouges help to carve out shapes India) lacquer work is strong and amidst forests, there is on the soft wood while it spins sturdy due to the hard babool a small locality of craftsmen, who and while it is still on the lathe, the wood used, Budni products are soft make lacquered wooden articles. colour is applied. Artificial dyes, and delicate. This is Budni Ghat, where soft wood brought from Rajasthan, have Both Kutchh and Budni lacquer spins on the lathe from morning replaced natural colours in the crafts are vivid and glossy; the to twilight, metamorphosing into lacquer work. ones from Budni do not have any beautiful objects and shapes. An important ingredient in the patterns, but have bold, solid The Budni craftsmen, who have process, a kind of wax, known colours. been practicing the craft for as “Chapdi” is sourced from “BUDHNI WOODS” is the brand generations, belong to the Maharashtra. This wax is boiled name for rural tourism in Madhya Vishwakarma community. with “Chandrak”, a natural Pradesh. This small village stores They elaborate wood work for varnishing agent and the dye is tons of raw material for making both utilitarian and architectural added in, to prepare the lacquer variety of handicraft items. In order purpose. They work primarily paste. Once the coloured lacquer to rejuvenate the lost battles of on making toys, cradle frames, is dried after application on the wooden craft culture of this place, wooden temples, flower vases wood, it is polished with Kewda oil Wood Craft Budhni are providing and other home decor. Spinning for a smooth and shiny finish. the platform for artisans. broken branches on lathe Budni lacquer work was much The influence of artificial items machine, use of naturally obtained regarded and popular in the pre- and rise in wood prices has left lac-base colors, later handcrafted independence times when the artisans with low returns on their items are polished with a blend of Nawab of Sehore promoted the expertise, as the demand is less, khajur leaf and oil. craft. The influx of cheap plastic business has also slowed down. Combination of dried kewada and rising prices of wood left the leaf and oil is also used to add craftsmen with low returns on their Presently the art is also at the shine to them. In order to improvise expertise and hard work. verge of losing its identity. The their field they have incorporated Today, the craftsmen try to artistans here are struggling to the use of bright flourescent incorporate the bright fluorescent provide their children even the colors and new designs. All these colours of plastic in their lacquer basic needs. In order to bring efforts of the artisans give them a products to keep the customer back the wooden lacquer art to mesmerizing look. interested. life, Wood Craft Budhni are doing Earlier, the lathe was run After all these years of relentless considerable efforts to keep the manually. diesel power was competition, this small street of trade a doable business for the introduced 60 years back. Budni Ghat still sustains an age old artisans. Nowadays, cleaner energy is craft all because of the ingenuity http://www.woodcraftbudhni.com www.travelresponsiBly.info 1 ARTICLE ARTICLE Despite her trekking competence, many travel THE FIRST ALL-WOMEN TRAVEL companies refused to hire her as a guide, solely on account of COMPANY IN LaDAKH her being a woman. Most men, on the other hand, were hired as trekking guides even without any professional training or knowledge hinlas Chorol set up a Ladakhi Women’s Travel Thinlas’ foray into the mountains began as a of trekking routes/awareness of Company, which has the distinction of being five-year-old accompanying her father on long treks environmental impact. She was TLadakh’s (Jammu & Kashmir, North India) first through the mountains with their goats and sheep. repeatedly told that a Ladakhi travel company completely owned and operated Today, as one of Ladakh’s best trekking guides, she looks woman going into the mountains by women. It is also known for promoting ecotourism. back on that incomparable training in childhood. with a group of foreigners would The agency specialises in organising homestay treks, What was far from bliss was the assortment be frowned upon by society. But providing trekkers with female guides and porters. of obstacles Thinlas encountered on her way to she didn’t let the rejections and The aim is to encourage the women of Ladakh becoming the pioneering and inspirational woman social taboos stop her. the Ladakhi Women’s Welfare culture. Their guides are highly to show their abilities and skills, particularly in the she is today. Societal restrictions, taboos and narrow Thinlas had met a few female Network in late 2013, which helps knowledgeable about the Ladakhi more remote areas. Through homestays, women mindsets had to be faced at every step. But the travellers who had been harassed women report crimes against culture, thereby they are able to in the villages get a chance to meet new people struggle paved way to become a professional by their male trekking guides them and works towards their provide an authentic experience and new cultures. Tourists in turn can also learn trekking guide at a time when female trekking guides and were keen on trekking with general welfare. Given Thinlas’ to different tourist places and from them. were unheard of. a female guide they could trust. deep sense of connection with relate the tourist to the history With the encouragement she the land, responsible travel is a behind them. Trekkers get a closer received at SECMOL (Students huge part of LWTC’s work. Having look at the traditional Ladakhi way Education and Culture Movement seen a lot of garbage dumped of life in a homestay rather than of Ladakh, an organization that on the mountains by irresponsible in a guesthouse. The chances of helps educate children from campers and tourists, the women working with Ladakhis in the fields remote regions of Ladakh) and at LWTC ensure that the ‘leave and in their homes can also be the support of her American no trace’ rule is respected on availed on some occasions. While English teacher, Thinlas went on their treks and the environmental trekking, one will of course observe to gain some commendable impact minimized. the local Ladakhi flora and fauna, professional expertise. She which guides are always willing attended a mountaineering Trekkers make halts at homestays to explore with the trekkers. The course at the Nehru Institute of run by rural women and learn from main challenge for LWTC is the Mountaineering (Uttarkashi) and Ladakhis about their way of life. seasonal nature of their work, spent a semester at the National Clients are told to avoid plastic with the season being barely four Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) bottles and instead refill water months from June to September. in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, where bottles at the homestays. Thinlas LWTC has to stretch out the income she picked up wilderness and is aware that since homestays are made in these few months for the leadership skills. She even worked unprofitable for travel agencies rest of the year. In the winter, LWTC as an instructional aide at NOLS many of them don’t offer this offers snow leopard treks, however, and was the first Ladakhi to do so. option to clients unless the latter specifically insist on them. These being off-season, there aren’t Thinlas started the Ladakhi homestays help rural women many takers. Women’s Travel Company (LWTC) achieve the same status as their In empowering herself, Thinlas in 2009 at the age of 29. Since men who are out earning for has empowered a host of other then, many Ladakhi women have their families. Homestays also women as well. Her vision for LWTC approached her to train them as encourage people to remain in is to see her trekking guides spread trekking guides and, today, the their villages instead of seeking their wings across the globe and, company has 8 guides, 4 trainees jobs in cities. and 20 employees in all. It takes in turn, inspire many others to a minimum of one year with the As well as helping women in the actualize their dreams. company to become a trekking villages, LWTC also aims to support http://www.ladakhiwomens guide. Thinlas also co-founded the preservation of Ladakhi travel.com 2 www.travelresponsiBly.info www.travelresponsiBly.info 3 ARTICLE ARTICLE Biksthang is the right place to be! Traditional hot stone herbal bath used for soothing the nerves, body aches and joint-pains is available on request. In view of the demand made by guests for souvenirs and momentoes of genuine Sikkimese handicrafts and other items, Khyom is the little gift shop by the Heritage Wing. Khyom showcases authentic, some unique and exclusive gift items made by local artisans of the region. The aim of the resort owners is to preserve the legacy, restore the dying agricultural heritage and BIKSTHANG give visitors a genuinely authentic experience of the rich culture, tradition, history and cuisine of HERItaGE west Sikkim.