In order to promote eco-tourism in Mukteshwar, TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) organised an eco-tourism programme, where students from as far as Sharjah were apprised of environmental issues. Around 90 students and teachers from DPS Sharjah stayed in the eco-friendly environment in tents lit by solar lanterns.
Students were sensitised about renewable technologies and its applications. A familiarisation trip to TERI's research facility TRISHA was also organised to understand the agricultural best practices. The students were also taken to environmental laboratories to acquaint them about the hazards of climate change.
Visits to local NGOs, understanding local culture and interaction with the local community were some of the activities, which the children enjoyed and took active participation.
About Dera Green
DeraGreen is nestled in Mukteshwar, a secluded hill station located 395 km from Delhi and 51 km from Nainital. The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam, 72 km from Mukteshwar. Buses and taxis ply from there. Mukteshwar is situated about 2300 metres above sea level. The weather here ranges from pleasant to cold, which makes it a fantastic year-round destination.
A stay at DeraGreen is aimed at instilling a sense of preserving nature's bounties for the future. The camp promises to leave a light ecological footprint. Each one of its structures is built so as to borrow, not snatch, from nature's resources.
Here is a list of some of the things one could do:
-- Follow exciting trekking trails
-- Take an eco-walk through the cool and dewy forest paths
-- Discover team spirit while rappelling and river-crossing
-- Climb up to Chauthi Jali, the 'sunset point' of Mukteshwar; the unique rock formations and steep cliffs make it an ideal spot for rock climbing
-- Splash away at the Lama Langa waterfalls, and visit the nearby lakes of Sat Tal and Naukuchiyatal
-- Get close to nature's marvellous creatures; go bird watching and see magpies, eagles, minivets, verditer flycatchers, and woodpeckers fly and swoop in the sky
-- Visit nearby hamlets and interact with local villagers and forest officers to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region
-- Visit TERI's bio-farm, where you can see and learn about a variety of plants and herbs
-- Gain hands-on knowledge about renewable energy technologies, such as water harvesting and solar lighting
-- Participate in some action packed contests such as quizzes, painting and kitchen experiments
-- Have fun at the camp bonfire at night; share your stories, sing, dance and play
About: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
From microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state-no sphere of human endeavor is unfamiliar to TERI. Headed by world-renowned economist and Head of the Nobel Prize winning UN Climate panel, Dr. R K Pachauri, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.
A dynamic and flexible organisation established in 1974, all activities in TERI move from formulating local and national level strategies to suggesting global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues. Headquartered in New Delhi, TERI has established regional offices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa, Guwahati and Mukhteshwer in the Himalaya's and International centers in Japan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Washington DC, London and Utrecht, The Netherlands.
CONTACT DETAILS
Amit Kumar Thakur, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), +91 9811990879, akthakur@teri.res.in