Kiari Kham Village – Uttarakhand
Kiari Kham village is situated at the foothills of Shivalik Mountain Range of the Great Himalayas, in Nainital District (Kumaon Region). It comes under Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve (PCR), of Uttarakhand. Kiari Kham Village is not a part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve but it comes in Corbett landscape.
Since Kiari Kham village is laden with rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, it is a paradise for nature lovers & bird watchers. Up to 80% of the region is covered with Sal trees forestation. Besides this, the area is also covered with Shisham, Bamboo, Teak, Pine and riverine forest. In all seasons, it is admired for its immaculate picturesque beauty. This small village is full of pure air and healthy environment.
Biodiversity of Kiari Kham Village:
Vegetation – 37 species of trees, 58 species of shrubs, 27 species of climbers, 52 species of herbs and 71 species of grasses & bamboos.
More than 125 species of butterflies – Spot Swordtail, Spangled Plush blue, Peacock Royal, Red spot, Copper Flash and Baronet to name a few. And Over a 100 species of moths with many more still to be identified.
32 species of wild mammals – tiger, elephant, leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat and ghoral are just some of the mammals seen here.
365 species of birds – Ibis bill, Great Slaty Woodpecker (15 other species of woodpeckers), Red-breasted Parakeet, Green-billed Malkoha, Common Green Magpie, Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Nepal Wren Babbler, Hooded Pitta, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-bellied Erpornis and White-rumped Needletail are some of the bird specials.
Best Season to Visit Kiari Kham Village, Alaya Resort, Uttarakhand
The beauty of forest keeps changing its form in every season and for true nature and wildlife lovers every season is worth visiting. However, the best time visit for –
• Birds – October to March.
• Butterflies – April to June & then from September to November.
• Wildlife – March to June
• Monsoon – July to September
• Winter – December to February
Kiari Kham village people are mainly into agricultural farming, forestry, horticulture, handicraft and tourism. The village is nourished by Kichardi and Dabka rivers – which is loaded with natural minerals and is a savor for aquatic life, it has variety of fishes in it. The whole area is full of medicinal plants, species and herbs, many of which grow naturally along the river side and some are also cultivated by the local farmers. You may come and learn about these medicinal plants.
In the Village school, the self-help group by the name of Durga Swai Sahayata Samuh educates the local farmers about learning organic farming, promotes organic practices and makes them aware of the causes of harmful use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Some of the ongoing conservation activities are:
• Tree Plantation
• Waste Management
• Lantana Removal Program
• Animal rescue
• Waste Management
Local cultural festivals celebrated at Kiari Kham village, Kumaon Region, Uttarakhand:
• Harela – has a great significance for a new harvest & the rainy season. It marks the commencement of the monsoon season in Kumaon region. The common practice attributed is the slogan ‘Save The Environment.’
• Phool Dei – is all about flowers in the springtime. The word ‘dei’ is a kind of a traditional pudding dish of the festival made from jaggery. Folk singers welcome spring with their music and are given rice and gifts. Young girls are most excited to participate in this festival.
• Ghugati – This joyful festival falls on January 15 of each year to celebrate the welcoming of birds from winter migration. Uttarayani, marks the beginning of the northward journey of the sun is noted as the returning period of the migratory birds to the distant hills of Uttarakhand.
• Basant Panchami – This festival depicts the grand welcome of spring in the air. Villagers cheer the arrival of sweet spring when the flowers bloom, the birds sing, the glorious sunbeams and cold no longer sting. Basant Panchami is also referred to as Sripanchami.
• Kumaoni Holi – It signifies the end of the winter season and the start of the new sowing season which holds great importance for this agricultural community. The uniqueness of the Kumaoni Holi lies in its being a musical affair. These songs are essentially based on classical ragas.
Distance to Kiari Kham Village, Alaya Resort, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand –
1) From Delhi it is approx. 5 hours journey by road with a distance of about 262 kms. via Delhi –Meerut Expressway road to Hapur – Babugarh – Garh Muketeshwar – Gajarula – Joya – Didauli – Dalpatpur – Dalatpur – Kashipur – Ramnagar – Kiari Kham – Alaya Resort.
2) From Lucknow it is about 7 hours journey by road with up to 400 Kms. via Sitapur – Shahjahapur – Bareilly – Kicha – Rudrapur – Gadarpur – Kelakhera – Bazpur – Bail Parao – Khempur – Kiari Kham – Alaya Resort.
