The Mission
A District-Wise Visual Mapping of Uttarakhand
Launched as a flagship initiative by Raasta Research & Development, Finding Uttarakhand set out to create a comprehensive video-mapping project across all 13 districts of the state. With the generous support of the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, and inaugurated by Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon'ble Minister of Tourism, the campaign sought to give voice, visibility, and value to every corner of the state.
Through compelling visual storytelling, the project explored each district's unique fabric—its history, local cuisine, architecture, agriculture, culture, festivals, tourism potential, and everyday life. The result was not just a documentary archive, but a vibrant and living portrait of Uttarakhand—district by district, story by story.
These films aimed to become a resource for travelers, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike—offering not just inspiration, but usable knowledge for sustainable planning and promotion.
The Purpose
Visibility, Pride, and Sustainable Development
At its core, Finding Uttarakhand was an educational and developmental intervention. It was built to bridge the gap of information and visibility—a gap that often prevents people from investing in or even understanding the potential that Uttarakhand holds.
By capturing everything from traditional agricultural wisdom to emerging entrepreneurship, from village food systems to regional histories, the campaign aimed to:
Showcase the potential of each district for sustainable tourism and cultural preservation
Help locals take pride in their region and its contribution to the state's identity
Enable Uttarakhand to tell its own story in its own voice—without stereotypes or simplifications
Support the marketing of authentic, local products by telling the stories behind them
Offer a blueprint for development that is rooted in heritage and oriented toward the future
The Impact
Districts as Destinations, Communities as Storytellers
Through Finding Uttarakhand, a new visual identity began to emerge—one that went beyond pilgrimage and postcards. Communities started seeing the value of what they already had. Local youth engaged in the process of filming and documenting their own villages. Traditional knowledge-holders—farmers, artisans, cooks, storytellers—were placed at the center of the narrative.
The campaign encouraged the state and the country to reimagine tourism not as a commercial industry alone, but as a channel for community-led economic empowerment, environmental preservation, and cultural revival.
It also created a digital archive that future generations can refer to—an evolving reference for anyone looking to understand the land, its people, and the possibilities it holds.
The Journey Ahead
Finding Uttarakhand is not a closed chapter; it is a living project that continues to inform our work at Raasta Research & Development. As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding the platform, deepening the stories, and inviting collaboration from across disciplines and sectors.
Because we believe Uttarakhand is more than a destination—it is a lesson in balance, a resource for sustainable living, and a story still unfolding.