On 22nd September 2017, The Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences & Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr.Harsh Vardhan launched ‘Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana’ in Uttarakhand.
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram Sankul Pariyojana:
i.This project has been inspired by teachings and ideals of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay.
ii.Department of Science and Technology (DST) has planned to adopt a few clusters of villages in Uttarakhand and make them self-sustainable using the tools of Science and Technology.
iii.The main idea of this project is to acquire local resources and skill sets and transform them using science and technology. So the value addition is imparted to the local products and services, which would develop the rural community.
iv.In this case, the local communities don’t have to migrate from their native places in search of jobs.Once this concept is implemented in selected villages, it can be followed by villages all over India.
v.Four clusters at Gaindikhata, Bazeera, Bhigun (in Garhwal) and Kausani (in Kumaon) have been selected in Uttarakhand.
vi.Around 1 lakh people will be benefited from this project in four clusters of 60 villages in Uttarakhand.
vii.Areas of development in these clusters have been identified as processing and value addition of milk, honey, mushroom, herbal tea, forest produce, local crops, and traditional craft and handloom of Uttarakhand.
viii.Processes like post-harvest processing of Kiwi, Strawberry, Cherry, Tulsi, Adrak, Elaichi through solar drying technology, extraction of apricot oil using cold press technology have been selected.
vi.Also, eco-tourism, naturopathy and yoga, are also planned to be promoted.DST has allotted Rs.6.3 crore fund for 3 years for this project.
About Ministry of Science and Technology:
Headquarters – New Delhi
Minister – Dr.Harsh Vardhan
