Adopt a village scheme: There was a time when the streets of the hill villages of Uttarakhand were deserted, the houses were converted into ruins and in the stories these villages were called ‘Ghost Villages’. The migration of people from these villages had increased so much that the entire village was empty. Neither was there any festival to celebrate there, nor the plow in the fields. But now she is turning into a desolation smile. Tourists are returning, activities are starting in villages and the architect of this change is a unique and visionary step of the Uttarakhand government – Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s ‘Adopt A Village’ scheme.
When the villages were covered, there was a shadow of silence
Many villages of Uttarakhand, especially the border and height areas, gradually became empty. Education, health, employment and lack of basic facilities forced people to leave their ancestral villages and turn to cities or plains. This was the reason that dozens of villages in districts like Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Tehri became Ghost Village. Villages like Semla Bagodi, Virgin, Gesku and Haat Kalika were once filled with movement, now the bushes and wild animals were occupied there.
‘Adopt a Village’ scheme: a ray of hope
To change this worrying situation, the Uttarakhand government launched ‘Adopt A Village’ i.e. ‘Adoption of the village’ scheme in the year 2023. The purpose of this scheme is not only to revive these deserted villages, but also to connect the migrant Uttarakhandis and Indians living around the world with their roots. In this scheme, which started on the initiative of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, migrants, NRIs and social organizations living abroad can adopt any village in Uttarakhand. Adoption of the village means increasing basic facilities, promoting tourism, revival of culture and generating employment opportunities. This scheme is not only a social campaign, but is a feeling that is trying to return the mountain soil again.
Semla Bagodi becomes role model
Semla Bagodi village of Uttarkashi district, which was once called ‘Ghost village’, has now become ‘Hope Village’. After adoption by migrant Uttarakhandis, tourism centers such as tracking routes, homestay, cafes and handicraft centers have been established in this village. The old temples of the village have been renovated and folk art is being revived. This change is motivating local youth to return to the village and tourists are also coming to visit this village.
Tourism is becoming a rural renaissance engine
The Uttarakhand government has devised a special strategy to bring these adopted villages on the tourism map. Government and private sector together are starting eco-tourism, homestay, trekking, folk culture performance and handicrafts training centers in villages. Due to this, the economy of the villages is getting new life. Tourists are now looking for places that are full of peace, where the real beauty of nature is found and where the digital run can be breathed away from the run. And these revived villages of Uttarakhand are becoming mines of similar experiences.
Where is the scheme being implemented?
The ‘Adopt A Village’ scheme has currently been implemented in many villages of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Tehri and Almora districts. The government aims to complete the adoption process of at least 500 villages in the next 5 years. Under the scheme, people or institutions adopting the village are given logistic cooperation, promotion and recognition from the government.
Who is taking responsibility?
The biggest attraction of this scheme is for the migrant Uttarakhandis. People of the US, Canada, Australia, UAE and Uttarakhandi community settled in Europe are now taking responsibility for resettle their villages. Apart from this, many corporate companies are also adopting villages under CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
Ghost Villages: Hope of future from past twisted
The villages of Uttarakhand which were once called scary and deserted, today the villages are becoming the model of innovation of India. The virgin village, which was once part of the hill phantomas, has now become a special destination for photographers and nature lovers. Workshops and homestay facilities of local cuisine have now started in Haat village of Pithoragarh.
Result of Chief Minister Dhami’s foresight
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has seen the scheme not just a government project, but as a public participation movement. He believes that the redevelopment of the mountains will remain incomplete until the migrant Uttarakhandi connects emotionally to his villages. His leadership ability and ground understanding have successfully launched the scheme not only on paper, but on the ground.
India’s first state where ‘Ghost Village’ became a tourist destination
Uttarakhand has become the first state in India, where systematic efforts are being made to convert deserted villages into tourism centers. This will not only give new life to the mountain, but will also send a message to the whole country that development can be done not only in cities but also in villages – provided intentions, policy and participation is correct. Ghost Village is now to become history. The ‘Adopt a Village’ scheme has proved that no dream is impossible when the government, society and migrant citizens join together. In this journey of desolation from Veerani, Uttarakhand has not only honored its past, but has also given a new direction to its future. If this is the speed, then the day is not far when the laughter of tourists from every deserted village of Uttarakhand will be echoed and ‘Glory’ will be written instead of ‘Ghost’.
