Pochampally : best tourism villages in t

Q. Why is this in news?

A. Pochampally village in Telangana is set to be named as one of the best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

Q. What is best Tourism Villages Initiative?

A. 

• The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Pilot initiative aims to award those villages which are outstanding examples of rural destinations and showcase good practices in line with its specified nine evaluation areas.
• It also aims to support villages to enhance their rural tourism potential through training and access to opportunities for improvement.

Q. What are key objectives?

A. 

• Reduce regional inequalities in income and development
• Fight rural depopulation
• Progress gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment
• Enhance education and skills development

Q. What About Pochampally?

A. 

• Pochampally, 50 Kms from Hyderabad, is a town in Nalgonda district of Telangana.
• It is often referred to as the Silk City of India for the exquisite sarees that are woven through a unique style called Ikat.
• It is also known as Bhoodan Pochampally to commemorate the Bhoodan Movement that was launched by Acharya Vinobha Bhave from this village on April 18th, 1951.
• Currently, a two-room Vinobha Bhave Mandir exists within the village which was earlier the place where Vinobha Bhave resided during his visit to the village.

Q. What is Pochampally Ikat?

A.

• Ikat is a Malaysian, Indonesian word that means “Tie and Dye”.
• For this style, Pochampally Ikat, received a Geographical Indicator (GI Status) in 2004.
• Ikat involves the process of wrapping (or tying) and dyeing sections of bundled yarn to a predetermined colour pattern before they are woven.
• The dye penetrates into exposed sections while the wrapped section remains undyed.
• This pattern formed by the yarn in this process is woven into fabric.