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“Bakri Swayamvar” has been recognized for its social impact. It was shortlisted as one of the top 5 social impact projects by the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA) by Outlook Traveller in 2020.
“Bakri Swayamvar” has been recognized for its social impact. It was shortlisted as one of the top 5 social impact projects by the Indian Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA) by Outlook Traveller in 2020. The event has been part of many case studies, with researchers and travellers opting for curious visits.
The event has also been successful in addressing the issue of migration from the hills. By reviving old farming techniques and promoting sustainable livelihood practices, it encourages the people of the hills to stay connected to their roots.
“Bakri Swayamvar” is a unique event that took place in the remote village of Pantwari in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district. Organised by Bakri Chhap, the event is centered around the marriage of goats.
The event is not just about the marriage of goats, but it carries a deeper symbolic meaning. It is an initiative to educate goat and sheep herders about natural mate selection. The event helps boost genetic diversity for goat populations in the area and educates farmers about a higher grade of livestock rearing.
The first season of “Bakri Swayamvar” was held in 2017, where the goats named Deepika, Priyanka, and Katrina were the stars of the show. The second season followed in 2018, featuring goats named Shraddha, Alia, and Kangana.
The event was organised to entertain people but the main purpose was to educate them about the importance of improving the gene pool of the mountain goats in Uttarakhand and adopt proper breeding practices. In the second season the event also hosted an exhibition of nearly 500 local goats and sheep. There was also a team of 25 trained goat rearing experts at the venue to educate people about scientific methods of goat rearing. Around 750 goat rearers attended the event.
“At present, people are rearing goats for meat, which provides a one-time earning opportunity. But Bakri Chhap is encouraging them to also rear goats for milk, which is a far more profitable business. Apart from this, the organisation is also working on promoting traditional food grains and homestay to cash in on tourism opportunities in the state.
“Inbreeding among local goats is a big problem in the hills which, over the years, results in poor lactation and body weight in the animals. Besides, people are still unaware about scientific breeding and what value additions can be made to reap better profits by rearing goats,” said an official of the animal husbandry department.
In conclusion, “Bakri Swayamvar” is more than just a goat marriage event. It is a symbol of sustainable and responsible tourism, a tool for social change, and a celebration of traditional farming practices. It is an event that brings together communities, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to the local economy, making it a truly remarkable initiative.
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