Step cultivation in the Himalaya, at Ransi village above Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand

Step cultivation, also known as terrace farming, is practiced in the Himalayas at Ransi village above Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, near Ukhimath and en route to the Madhyamaheshwar Temple. Ransi Village, located in the Ukhimath tehsil of Rudraprayag district, is a picturesque village nestled amidst terraced fields, forests, and diverse flora and fauna. It serves as the base camp for the trek to the Madhyamaheshwar Temple, one of the Panch Kedars, and is known for its beautiful slate‑roofed houses. The method involves creating flat, stepped areas on slopes to cultivate crops, helping in soil and water conservation.