First of all, I have to say I am absolutely ecstatic to be going on the Environment and Development Program in the Indian Himalayas with 21 other students, Professor Rebecca Klenk, anthropologist from the University of Tennessee, and Keith Goyden, graduate student who has worked directly with the organization where our internships will be. General information about the program can be found here:
Program Information
In short, will be staying in the Kumaun foothills of the Himalaya. India is divided into 28 states, which are further divided into districts, blocs, divisions, and villages. Similar to the administrative divisions within the US with our states, counties, then cities. Sonapani, where we are staying is located in the village of Sotali, in the division of Kumaun, in the bloc Nainital in the province of Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal. The elevation of Sotali is about 7000ft.
Sonapani, literally means golden water (sona=gold, pani=water) although when we are outside of the village, we are strongly encouraged to buy bottled water, despite the adverse environmental effects. Further, the water in Sonapani is filtered. We will be arriving after monsoon season, so we will not suffer from water scarcity; which mostly happens in May/June, before the monsoons.
We will be taking the railway from Delhi north, then a taxi to where the road ends. From the railhead to Sonapani is 60k (about 40 miles) and 7000ft of elevation gain! From there, it is about a 20 minute walk to Sonapani.
Within Sonapani, we will be staying in 3 person cottages, 14x20ft, with bathroom, and weekly laundry service. We will have electricity, although only about 70% of the time. Cell phones are common, and I expect to get one. I will also be able to update my blog with the 4 internet modems at Sonapani. GOOD NEWS: If you would like to visit, Sonapani has cottages for about $60 a night, including meals; although there are other housing options as well. However, the connection is terribly slow, so I doubt many pictures will be uploaded until after my trip. Below is a photo of our daily scenery.
From Sonapani, we have an excellent view of the 2nd largest mountain in India, Nanda Devi, and the 23rd highest in the world along the Sanctuary Wall. However, the photo above includes three peaks: Trisul, Nanda Devi, and Devtoli (I believe). Nanda Devi is a sacred peaks that means "Bliss Giving Goddess." It is about 3 days travel from Sotali (which I will be going to the base before the program starts; not climbing for it is forbidden, among many other areas as well! Plans to be posted).
My internship with CHIRAG, Central Himalayan Rural Action Group, is located in Sitla. The organization's methodology is one of integrated rural development of social, natural resource management, training and communication, as well as income generation. From Sonapani to Sitla is 7k (about 4.5miles), which translates to a 20min drive, or over an hour walk- which I plan to do daily! As far as any medical needs while I am there, I am in a great place because the US Embassy refers to CHIRAG as the recommended medical site to go to in this region. More information can be found here:
CHIRAG
