Chamba : A Pristine Hamlet

In the state Uttarakhand lies all three Himalayan ranges and lower plain areas at the foothills of shivalik. Uttarakhand formerly known as Uttaranchal was formed on 9th November 2000 which became 27th state of the republic of India. It was carved out from Uttar Pradesh. It is bordered by China in the north, Nepal from east, UP from south and himachal Pradesh from north. The state is divided into 2 divisions , Garhwal region and Kumaon region which have distinct culture, language, food and dressing. These both divisions comprise of 13 districts . Dehradun is the winter capital of the state and on 4 march 2020, Gairsain, a town in Chamoli district was declared as the summer capital of the state. List of districts in the state are- Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri garhwal, Udham singh Nagar and Uttarkashi. The study area lies in the district of Tehri Garhwal. District Tehri Garhwal is one of the largest districts in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India. Its administrative headquarters is at New Tehri. It is surrounded by Rudraprayag District in the east, Dehradun District in the west, Uttarkashi District in the north, and Pauri Garhwal District in the south.

Bhagirathi which runs through appears to divide the tehri district into two, while the Bhilangna, Alaknanda, Ganga and Yamuna rivers border it on the east and west. Tehri's neighbouring districts are Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag and Dehradun. Tehri was a former princely state of British India, named after its capital; area 3642 sq. km. It contains the sources of both the Ganges and the Yamuna, which are visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims. According to the 2011 census Tehri Garhwal district has a population of 618,931, roughly equal to the nation of Solomon Islands or the US state of Vermont. This gives it a ranking of 520th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 170 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 2.3 %. Tehri Garhwal has a sex ratio of 1077 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 76.4 %. According to 2011 census Hindus are 609,835(98.5%); Muslims 7,374 (1.2%); and Sikhs (0.2%).The district of Tehri Garhwal is divided into two subdivisions: Kirti Nagar and TehriPratap Nagar.

It has seven tehsils, one sub-tehsil, nine blocks, two municipalities and four town area committees. The district covers 75 nyaya panchayats and 979 gram panchayats.

Location And Extent

The study area for this report is block Chamba of Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Chamba is a town area commitie also. It is located in 30 degree 25.860 minutes north and 30 degree 43.811 minutes north to 78 degree 45.672 minutes east and 78 degree 73.345 minutes east. This block comprise of 53 villages and basically composed of 100% rural population with two uninhabited villages. Initially it was called Chamma but difficulty in saying Chamma ultimately lead to its present name Chamba. It act as a focal point where most famous destination of this area lies. It is 50 KM away from MUSSOORIE and lie in Mussoorie-Chamba-New Tehri road.

Relief

Chamba lies 1600M above sea level and is in the lesser Himalayan range basically in the part of Garhwal Himalayas and Mussoorie Range of it. It raised high in the air in the Miocene age. Middle Himalayas is the range in which the most famous hill stations are located, Chamba is also one of them.

Climate and Rainfall

The climate in Chamba varies from cold temperate to sub tropical. The weather is very cold in winter and pretty hot in summers. The most pleasant season is spring. This area receives rainfall almost throughout the year but the main raining seasons are July-September. The mean temperature ranges from 10.1-19.1 degree Celsius. Annual humidity is between 54.7 and 76.5. The annual total rainfall is 1367.80mm. (UUHF metrological data, 2015).

Drainage

The drainage in the district Tehri Garhwal is well developed by rivers Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and Bhilangana. Near Chamba near Old Tehri Bhilangana and Bhagrirathi rivers meet. These rivers are perennial and carry water all year round. Tehri Dam the highest dam in India on Bhagirathi river. It is primary river of THDC India Ltd. The entire area is supplied by electricity by this power plant.

Soil

Major soil in the area is hilly soil which developed from graniteferous biotite, sctics, granites, gnesiss, Phillies. These are brown to dark grayish in color and acidic in reaction.

Flora and Fauna

Chamba is the abode of forest and community reserves which comprises high species endemism and is of enormous and aesthetic value to our country. Chamba possesses high plant species endemism and is mother to various medicinal plants comprising anti fungal, anti bacterial and anti viral properties. Within those unwinding creepers, unending tall trees, herbaceous plants can lay the bullet to this invisible enemy. Here is the list of 8 medicinal plants which possess anti viral properties

1. Jakhiya (wild mustard)(cleome viscose)
   

   In most of the Garhwali region of Uttarakhand jakhiya seeds is used to temper aloo ke gutke (colloquial) and curries. These seeds impart a mouth watering taste to these delicacies. Along with enhancing the taste this black magic possess anti inflammatory, anti viral properties.

2. Kafal (Myrica esculenta)
   

   This is a sweet wine red / red colour fruit which grow in the forests and pathways of Uttarakhand. Children here feast upon these mini fruit in spring season. It is widely used to treat various viral fevers, cough, ear, nose and throat disorders. This can be found in garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

3. Bedu (Ficus palmate)
   

   This plant is huge source of minerals, phosphorus and vitamin C. This plant grow in wild in Uttarakhand. Bedu is used to relieve inflammation and its sap is used to relieve warts.Bedu can be found in entire hilly region of Uttarkhand.

4. Burash (Rhododendron Arboreum)
   

   It is an evergreen tree that is the state tree of Uttarkhand. Indigenous and welcome people with burash juice . Flower and leaves possess anti carcinogenic properties anti viral properties. It can provide treatment to asthama, bronchitis, constipation etc.

5. Gaath pulse
   

   This himalyan pulse is full with antioxidants and is very useful in kidney stones, diabetes, womb related problems etc.

6. Jhangora(Barnyard millet)
   

   This staple cereal in himalayan region is superfood, easy to digest being gluten free and highly nutritious. This is highly beneficial in diabetes. In uttarakhand it is usually grown at the altitude of 400-2100 M above sea level.

7. Neelkanthi (Ajuga parviflora)
   

   This herb comprise anti fungal, anti microbial, anti inflammatory properties. This can be consumed as powder and whole plant can be used to remedify stomach ache and fever.

8. Somavalli (Sacrostemma acidum)
   

   This plant is also called sanjivani . This plant is comprise anti viral properties and is bitter coolant.

There are many animals in the area. As the area come has protected forest there is restriction of activities in the forest. There have been many instances of tigers roaming around at night sometimes at day time. Monkeys are in abundance, with many reptiles and birds.

Demography Setting

As of 2011 India census, Chamba is a Nagar Panchayat city in district of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. The Chamba city is divided into 7 wards for which elections are held every 5 years. The Chamba Nagar Panchayat has population of 7,771 of which 4,149 are males while 3,622 are females as per report released by Census India 2011.

Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 1010 which is 13.00% of total population of Chamba (NP). In Chamba Nagar Panchayat, Female Sex Ratio is of 873 against state average of 963. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Chamba is around 857 compared to Uttarakhand state average of 890. Literacy rate of Chamba city is 89.04% higher than state average of 79.82%. In Chamba, Male literacy is around 91.71% while female literacy rate is 85.99%.

Chamba Nagar Panchayat has total administration over 1,971 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorized to build roads within Nagar Panchayat limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.

Housing Type and Pattern

The basic pattern in the town of Chamba is nucleated because in the area this is the only town that has less rural style of living. In the periphery villages of Chamba houses are made in linear pattern along the kutchha road. Chamba with its periphery villages has distinct type of houses (kutchha house) made up of black flat stones and are floored with cow dung and walled too with it which keep it warm during winter and cold during summers.

Society and culture

Chamba has different Garhwali cuisines that make it a cake walk to travel in the area and make it fun too. Dishes such as arsa, fanu, rotana etc are delicacies you can have mouth watering experience.

Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 7.73% while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 0.59% of total population in Chamba (NP).Garhwali culture is very different from the adjacent Kumauni culture. We have different food, language, and lifestyle. A old women in garhwal wears a black SADRI drapped with a colourful dhoti. Young girls generally wear suit and sometimes SAPA is worn on head. We have big and vibrant golden NATH that is so distinct from other culture that it just mesmerizes everyone.

Lifestyle of People

Out of total population, 2,517 were engaged in work or business activity. Of this 2,085 were males while 432 were females. In census survey, worker is defined as person who does business, job, service, and cultivator and labour activity. Of total 2517 working population, 85.78% were engaged in Main Work while 14.22% of total workers were engaged in Marginal Work

Chamba is hub for tourist as it is nodal point between Mussoorie, Tehri lake and Rishikesh. The most famous tourist destination nearby is Tehri lake where tourist come and have a lot of fun.

Chamba has quite a number of Hotels for tourists among which are Hotel Akash Deep, Tehri Club Resort, Himalaya Holiday Inn, Jal Nigam Rest House, Tourist Rest House, Hotel Neelkanth, Social Palace and Hotel Classic Hill Top and many others providing comfortable accommodation. Some hotels are having further contact in upper hill region for camping and adventurous sports games.