Vibrant Villages, Strong Borders: Uttarakhand at 25

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{This Blog is part of “Uttarakhand@25 Blog Series” in collaboration with SDC Foundation and The Analysis}

Uttarakhand turns 25 this year; a quarter of a century may not be much in the history of these mountains, yet for the people who shaped the statehood movement, it is a moment of stock-taking. What has changed? What still holds us back? And what will carry us forward? Among the many answers being debated today, one programme has caught the imagination of policymakers and local communities alike—the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).

 From “Ghost Villages” to Vibrant Ones

Migration has been Uttarakhand’s biggest wound. Entire hamlets in the higher Himalayas: Mana, Niti, Gunji, Kuti, and scores of others, have been left deserted as families moved to the plains in search of schooling, hospitals, and jobs. The census numbers are stark, but the sight of locked homes and collapsing roofs says even more. 

These were once thriving trade settlements, connected by Indo-Tibetan caravans, dotted with temples and monasteries. Over time, the borders closed, trade declined, and the state retreated. The Vibrant Villages Programme, launched by the Government of India in 2023, is a response to this crisis. Its promise is simple but ambitious: the last village on the frontier should not be the last in development. Instead, these places should become hubs of opportunity and dignity.

What the Programme Brings

The scheme focuses on habitations along the northern borders. In Uttarakhand, this means frontier areas of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Uttarkashi. The objectives of the programme goes beyond laying roads or setting up check-posts,

1.  Infrastructure: Roads, solar power, and mobile connectivity are at the core. In a region where a trip to the block office can take hours, connectivity is in itself a form of empowerment.

2.  Livelihoods: Eco-tourism, herbal medicines, crafts, and local produce of these deserted villages can all find new markets if backed by credit, marketing, and digital access. 

3.  Social Development: Schools, health centres, and anganwadis are being upgraded. The focus is on retaining young families who otherwise migrate for basic services.

4.  Security with Growth: Developing these villages also strengthens border security. Empty villages weaken the frontier; vibrant ones strengthen it.

Why It Matters at 25

At its creation in 2000, Uttarakhand was a promise to bring development closer to the hills. Yet, the pressure of migration shows that, people still feel compelled to move out. Vibrant Villages has the potential to reverse this tide, but only if implemented carefully.

History matters here. The Himalayas of Uttarakhand were never just defensive frontiers. They were corridors of trade, pilgrimage, and culture. Bhotiyas carried salt and wool across these passages. Villages along the routes hosted fairs that brought together diverse communities. By reviving these spaces, the programme does not just build roads; it reconnects a living history that was cut short after the 1962 border war.

Challenges on the Ground

Yet, optimism must be tempered with realism. A few points stand out:

1. Top-down planning: Villagers often complain that decisions are made in Dehradun or Delhi without enough consultation. For a programme to succeed, communities must feel ownership.

2. Ecological balance: Building wide roads in fragile zones risks landslides and water scarcity. Development must work with, not against, mountain ecology.

3. Livelihood mismatch: Tourism is useful, but not every village can or should be turned into a tourist spot. Tailored strategies for agriculture, sheep-rearing, or herbal farming are equally important.

4. Youth engagement: Many young people prefer stable salaried jobs. Programmes need to show that staying back in villages can also provide secure futures.

A People-Centred Approach

For Vibrant Villages to succeed, it must treat border communities as partners, not just beneficiaries. Training local youth as health workers, teachers, or tourism entrepreneurs can anchor development. Women’s cooperatives can lead in crafts and herbal trade. Panchayats must be empowered with funds and autonomy. 

One lesson from 25 years of Uttarakhand is that community-driven initiatives endure longer than top-down schemes. The Chipko movement, the Van Panchayats, even the statehood struggle itself; these were rooted in people’s voices. If VVP taps that spirit, it will outlast the cycles of government projects.

Looking Ahead

At 25, Uttarakhand is no longer a young state. It has learnt some lessons the hard way: unchecked migration, fragile urbanisation, environmental risks. The Vibrant Villages Programme is a chance to rewrite part of that story. 

Imagine border villages where children do not have to walk miles for school, where elders have healthcare close at hand, where traditions thrive alongside modern livelihoods. Development in the high Himalayas is not easy, but it is also not optional. Empty villages weaken both the community and the nation. Vibrant ones keep borders secure, cultures alive, and economies resilient. As we look ahead, one thing is clear: a truly vibrant Uttarakhand in the next 25 years will depend on how vibrant its villages are today.

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Ritika Joshi is a historian and assistant professor at Gautam Buddha University. 

[The opinions expressed herein are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University, SDC Foundation, and The Analysis.]

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The series is curated by an editorial team led by Anoop & Rishabh (SDC Foundation), with Kanha, Visakha

, Gautam and Alind from SCLHR and the team at The Analysis.

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