Matholi Village Of Uttarakhand Sets Example Of Women Empowerment And Rural Tourism
From Homestays to Village Tours, Women Take the Lead in 'Bwari Village'
In a region where tourists often gravitate toward the popular Harshil Valley or Mori-Sankri, a quiet revolution is taking place in Matholi village, nestled in the Chinyalisaur block of Uttarkashi district. Women here are scripting a new story of empowerment and rural enterprise by transforming their quaint mountain hamlet into a budding tourist hotspot.
The turning point for Matholi came during the COVID-19 lockdown, when Pradeep Panwar, a young man with experience in the tourism sector, returned to his roots. With vision and determination, he converted his traditional Chhani (cowshed) into a cozy homestay and opened it to tourists. Recognizing the untapped potential of the village, he didn’t stop there—he began training local women in hospitality, cooking, trekking guidance, and village tours, giving them the tools to be self-reliant.
To promote the initiative and highlight the role of women, Pradeep branded Matholi as ‘Bwari Village’, a name that now resonates with empowerment and cultural pride. One of the highlights introduced is the Ghasyari competition, a traditional village activity showcased to tourists, offering them a unique slice of local life.
Local resident Anita Panwar shares how the initiative has inspired other women in the village to open their own homestays. “Women are now stepping forward confidently to be a part of tourism and earn an income,” she says.
Since launching his homestay on March 8, 2022, Pradeep has hosted around 1,000 tourists, generating livelihood opportunities for around 20 village women. He has now registered his homestay with the Uttarakhand Tourism Department to facilitate online bookings and expand outreach.
Currently, 5,331 homestays are registered under the Tourism Department, with many being run by women across the state. The government’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Home Stay Scheme provides a 33% subsidy in hilly regions to promote such ventures. The state administration is also offering full support for registration and availing of tourism-related schemes.
“Matholi village is a shining example of how tourism and women empowerment can go hand in hand. Any family willing to run a homestay will be given full support under our tourism schemes,” said Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
With the success of ‘Bwari Village’, Matholi is not just welcoming tourists—it’s welcoming a better, self-sustaining future, led by its women.
