Uttarakhand Government claimed that the villagers, who had left six villages for several reasons, have been brought back and rehabilitated by the State Government.
As per the census 2001, 1065 villages were recorded as vacant. But in 2011, its figure came down by six to 1,059. Parliamentary Affairs Minister (PAM) Indira Hridayesh disclosed this while replying to a question asked by BJP MlA Mahaveer Singh Rangad during Question Hour on Tuesday.
State Government has been striving hard to stop migration from villagers. A host of development schemes is being launched to pre-empt the villagers from leaving their villages for better livelihood prospects.
To better things on the ground, we have launched special integrated industrial promotion policy for the hills, centrally funded consolidated watershed management programme, World Bank-aided forest development project, Uttarakhand decentralised watershed development project and international agriculture development fund.
To promote sportsmanship among the rural youths, we are building stadium/ mini- stadium in the hill districts.
Besides, we are stressing on tourism policy, voluntary land consolidation in hills.
We are also promoting typical handicrafts thriving in the hills. Panchayats are being empowered and public participation is being ensured.
We are implementing food security and livelihood projects. Uttarkhand Border and Backward Area Development Fund is being used for the promotion of infrastructure and basic amentias in the backward blocks. We are establishing bio-technology park, implementing national mission on Agriculture extension and technology, MNREGA, PMGSY, Swajal, Integrated livelihood supported projectd (IlSP) and watershed management schemes (Gramya—II) and rain water harvesting schemes to ensure irrigation.
Due to Juune disaster-2013 our development slowed down. However, things are looking up now as we have managed to attract tourists through winter char dham yatra.
Besides, several other schemes, including Mera Ganv Mera Dhan Yojna, Mera Vriksh Mera Dhan Yojna; chief minister health insurance scheme are on. To promote micro, small, medium enterprise (MSME) industries, we have been providing all the facilities online.
With the help of Uttarakhand forest management project and Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA), we have been constructing our assets and generating employment aside from providing agriculture equipment in disaster- affected area and giving 90 per cent grants. We are adopting safety mechanism for the agricultural land and for crops often destroyed by wild life. We have firmed up a new sports policy to motivate the youth.
The Chief Minister Artisan Development Scheme, Hamari Kanya Hamara Abhiyan Sabala Yojna and Kishori Shakti yojna are other projects we are working on. Biotechnology is being used in the conservation of soil.
Besides, to extend technical education, we have been opening horticulture and forestry colleges. We have introduced new syllabus in Bharsar University. The State is going to have agriculture college in Bharadisain of Chamoli district and Jakholi of Rudraprayag district. Research campus is being established in Pratapnagar, Khitta and Jakhida of Tehri district.
BPl families and disaster-hit families and landless cattle raisers are being given non-forest ZA land for rehabilitation. Fifteen new polytechnics are being established. Fodder development schemes are being implemented to produce better fodder.