About
- Vibrant Villages Programme is a Centrally sponsored scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 (to 2025-26) for the development of villages on the northern border, thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages.
- It will cover the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh.
- It will cover 2,963 villages with 663 of them to be covered in the first phase.
- Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats.
- There will not be an overlap with the Border Area Development Programme.
Objective
- The scheme aids in identifying and developing the economic drivers based on local, natural, human, and other resources of the border villages on the northern border;
- Development of growth centers on the ‘hub and spoke model’ through the promotion of social entrepreneurship, empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship;
- Leveraging the tourism potential through the promotion of local, cultural, and traditional knowledge and heritage;
- Development of sustainable eco-agri businesses on the concept of ‘one village-one product’ through community-based organizations, cooperatives, and NGOs.
Significance of Vibrant Village Programme
- The program envisages coverage of border villages on the Northern border that have sparse populations, limited connectivity, and infrastructure, which often get left out of the development gains.
- The scheme will help encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reverse the out-migration from these villages, adding to improved security of the border.
- The scheme will provide funds for the development of essential infrastructure and the creation of livelihood opportunities.
- The scheme will help to strengthen India’s cooperative sector and to deepen its reach to the grassroots as it will enable cooperative societies to set up and modernize the necessary infrastructure.
- The also aims to develop sustainable agricultural, dairy, and fishery cooperatives in each village.
- It will be supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the National Fisheries Development Board.
- The plan aims to establish viable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in each uncovered Panchayat
What are the Challenges for Developing Villages along the LAC?
- Harsh Terrains: The areas along the LAC are characterized by high-altitude terrain, rugged mountains, and harsh weather conditions. These factors pose significant challenges to the construction of infrastructure and provision of services in these regions.
- Security Concerns: The LAC border region has been the site of numerous border disputes and conflicts between India and China. Developing villages in this region requires addressing security concerns to ensure the safety of local people and government infrastructure.
- Environmental Impact: The development of infrastructure and facilities in the border regions could have an adverse impact on the environment, including the degradation of natural habitats and the loss of biodiversity. Mitigating these impacts is necessary for sustainable development in these regions.
- Cooperation from Local Communities: The success of the Vibrant Villages program depends on the cooperation of local communities in the border regions. Building trust and collaboration with these communities is crucial to the program’s success.
