On June 8, 2020 Himachal Pradesh(HP) Chief Minister(CM) Jai Ram Thakur launched ‘Panchvati Yojana’ for the senior citizens of rural areas of the state. Under the yojana parks & gardens will be established in every development block with mandatory facilities under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) 2005, Scheme of Rural Development Department. About 100 such parks will be developed in different parts of the state during FY 2020.
Main objective of the yojana– To enable elderly to spend their leisure time in these parks & gardens.
Key Points
i.The parks & gardens will be developed in at least one bigha(a traditional unit of measurement of land) along with MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and 14th Finance Commission.
ii.Ayurvedic and medicinal plants will be grown, recreational equipment, walking tracks and other basic facilities for elderly people will be provided.
iii.Every park will have a 500 to 1,000 metre concrete trek. Women self-help groups will be allowed to sell their products in these parks
iv.The 1st phase of these parks was inaugurated through video conference in Gohar Development Block of District Mandi and Bangana Development Block of Una district, among 15.
v.The work on these parks has been started with the help of local labourers who receive daily wages under MGNREGA.
Note– 90% of states population lives in rural areas
About HP:
Capital– Shimla (summer capital), Dharamshala (winter capital).
Governor– Bandaru Dattatraya
National Park(NP)– Great Himalayan NP, Pin Valley NP, Inderkilla NP, Khirganga NP, Simbalbara NP
