Checking migration from border villages focus of Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Checking migration from border villages, which lack opportunities in education, health and employment, is the focus of those in charge of implementing the Centre's Vibrant Villages Programme. «We have a primary school in our village, but the middle school is 32 km away. There are no medical facilities, roads or employment opportunities.

This has led to migration to cities. Out of 50 families in the village, 60% have migrated,» said Nijaomiji, gram sarpanch of Sachung in Arunachal Pradesh. Migration from villages near the China border has raised security concerns as well.

«There are several uninhabited villages after migration. Such areas can easily be captured by the enemy,» said Deepak Pabing, nodal officer of Arunachal's East Kameng Seppa. Nijaomiji and Pabing were among 207 village sarpanches from border villages of Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh who arrived in New Delhi on Monday to attend the Independence Day celebrations.

The sarpanchs said the VVP proposals have been sent to the Centre and they expect to tap into funds to build roads, schools, community halls and develop tourism avenues. VVP envisages comprehensive development of identified villages in 46 blocks abutting northern border in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh. The programme includes both components of central sector schemes as well as centrally sponsored schemes in the identified focused areas of intervention for creation of opportunities for livelihood generation through promotion of tourism and cultural heritage, skill development and entrepreneurship and development of cooperative societies including agriculture/horticulture, cultivation of medicinal plants/herbs etc.