Hidden Hamlets of Himachal

What are the Hidden Hamlets of Himachal? 

Within the eastern part of Himachal Pradesh lies hidden, the exotic Land of Parashar, around 50 km east of Mandi District. It is home to beautifully pristine & quaint little Hidden Hamlets - Thatta, Lagshal, Kalang, & Bhanuthi-Shikari. These peaceful little hamlets are tucked away quietly in and around the lap of Parashar Dhar. With majestic views of the Dhauladhar Ranges, expansive meadows and farmlands all around, and surrounded by dense pine forests - these hamlets are truly an untouched beauty of nature and people!

Our activities at the ground level

We came together with Development Alternatives (DA), the world's first social enterprise dedicated to sustainable development, in a collaborative effort to generate livelihoods by creating sustainable ecotourism opportunities within the Hidden Hamlets of Himachal Pradesh. The initiative has been funded by National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), working towards protecting the unique Himalayan ecosystem in a sustainable manner.

The project started with Development Alternatives (DA) scouting for rural and culturally rich mountain communities in Himachal Pradesh. They were able to locate & identify four uniquely offbeat villages - Thatta, Lagshal, Kalang & Bhanuthi-Shikari, around Parashar in Mandi. The four Hidden Hamlets are a knowledge centre of age-old traditions, a reservoir of vibrant culture and heritage, along with an extraordinary biodiversity.

NotOnMap came forward to tap into the rich potential of these villages, to develop Rural, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism, and to nurture self-sufficiency within the village community. With the aim to preserve and promote the rich elements of these villages, we developed an extensive series of capacity-building training programmes for the community members, spread across various modules- like Health and Hygiene, Waste and Environmental Management, Culture and Heritage Preservation, Biodiversity Conservation, and many more. We worked at the grassroots level and gathered collective local participation from the village men & women, youth & children, with senior citizens included.

Active and close involvement of females of the villages has been ensured through our training programmes. These programmes focused on women empowerment and helped create a women-safe environment for all. Women local guides and champions have been identified and properly trained in order to equip them with specific skills related to sustainable eco-tourism.

Since the mysteries of the Hidden Hamlets are being opened up to the world to be cherished, we have placed various sustainable eco-mechanisms to maintain the aesthetic & cultural essence of these villages, without the dilution of their socio-economic aspects.

Impact generated

1. Restored and onboarded different types of homestays from these identified Hidden Hamlets, and are still counting.
2. Preserved the rich Pahadi architecture in these homestays through proper restoration and development.
3. Conducted 20+ training sessions and workshops with the village locals, focusing on community development activities.
4. 300+ local people have been impacted and benefited, through our combined efforts and intervention through training programmes and workshops.
5. More than 100 girls, women and children have been empowered through our training programmes.
6. Around 15 individuals have been identified as local champions and guides from the village communities.
7. 50+ artisans and farmers have been impacted and supported through our efforts. 
8. Creating employment opportunities within the villages for the youth and taking steps towards self-sufficiency.
9. Installed 100+ dustbins made from reused tin dabbas outside every household and at regular intervals in all the villages.
10. Around 5 cleanliness drives actively initiated by the village locals like kids, youths, women, etc.
11. Creating a proper & systematic drainage system and soak pits system in the village. 
12. Creation of 100+ posters & signages focusing on unique local experiences, occupations, talents & sustainability mechanisms, to add to the village identity & bind the people together. 

Why Hidden Hamlets of Himachal? 

The four Hidden Hamlets - Thatta, Kalang, Lagshal & Bhanuthi-Shikari, are closely located near the mystical & gorgeous Parashar Lake. It is situated at a height of about 2730 m, and with clear fields of meadows and Dhauladhar Ranges as the scenic backdrop.

The Hidden Hamlets of Himachal Pradesh are extremely well preserved in terms of their culture, traditions and natural biodiversity & ecosystem. This is due to the fact, or rather a boon, that they are hidden within a gorgeous offbeat setting and have less proximity to the people out there. They are untouched in every sense of the term, and hence, the authenticity of the villages are preserved exceptionally by the local community.

Away from the mundanities of our urban life, our Hidden Hamlets of Himachal are a peaceful escape from the shackles of everyday pressures of city life. With fresh air and clear skies, with locals living a slow & peaceful rural life - you get to explore the magical secrets of leading a happy yet hard-working lifestyle.

Hidden Hamlets of Himachal are ready to welcome you with wide-open arms! 

Explore, learn, & live!