Ten family members of Udkhanda village in Uttarakhand re-inhabited their deserted village, presenting an example of self-reliance|

A Motivational Story of how Udkhanda village in Uttarakhand had redeveloped?

Udkhanda is a village in Tehri Garhwal district, famous for the Chipko and Bija Bachao Andolan of Uttarakhand state, surrounded by high mountains. The people of this village have set a unique example of self-reliance for the rest of the Indian villages.

The dwellers of Udkhanda village had migrated to urban for better jobs due to a shortage of water supply and ruined farmlands and husbandry.

But just ten families decided not to get going outside and were determined to rehabilitate the province. How did the miracle happen?

हिंदी पोस्ट के लिए यहां क्लिक करें।

The story of how Udkhandda village had ruined?

Udkhanda village, once populated by 140 families, had become vacant due to the barren land. Just ten families were left alone who did not want to leave their native anyhow. The members of the families determined to redevelop the village. There was a time when their land was fruitful and prosperous with crops, and animal husbandry also was in full swing. When the dam had constructed on the upper side of the Hevel river, the water stream decreased. Lands became barren and fruitless. Animal husbandry also was impossible without water and food. So the dwellers of the Udakhand migrated to the urban province for a better jobs.

The story of the redevelopment of Udakhanda:

Initially, to redevelop the Udakhnda village, the villagers had collected a fund of five lakhs rupees under the guidance and leadership of village head Vinod Kothiyal and formed a cooperative board: Havel Valley Agricultural Development Autonomous Cooperative Group.

The villagers adopted community farming successfully.

Under the use of community farming, they made barren land cultivable, used modern farming techniques, and used cultivation of Adu and Pea on that land, which was successful. This farming resulted in a profit of nine lakh rupees, which the villagers distributed in equal proportion. Knowing the success of community farming, the families who left the village started returning. Some families also built farms for goat rearing.

Villagers also adopted a unique marketing strategy successfully.

Now the farmers were producing various agricultural products. But, the problem was the marketing and gaining the proper price of the products.
The committee passed the resolution that they would not sell the raw material of the agricultural product but would sell the processed and finished products direct to users under branded names.

As a result, their strategy proved to be very successful, and they started making solid profits.

An introduction of Vinod Kothiyal and his family-

The Kothiyal family is famous in Uttarakhand and engaged in social welfare activities. Vinod Kothiyal is the head of the village, and B. R. Kothiyal is a retired irrigation officer from another Kothiyal family. Another member of the Kothiyal family, Hrishiram Kothiyal, is a retired police officer. These people are also giving the benefit of their service to this institution. Ritmani Kothiyal looks after the goat rearing.

Udkhanda village has suggested an effective solution to this problem.

While the villages are becoming empty, villagers are migrating, quitting agriculture and animal husbandry, and has compelled to live in the cities in slums like Dharavi. This problem is not only in Uttarakhand but in many other villages of India.

Udkhanda village has suggested an exact solution to this problem.

Useful Link:

More information on Udkhanda Village.

Video

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Channel: @dwhindi

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