The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has taken a significant step for the rehabilitation of Border Villages through the Vibrant Village Programme, selecting Jadung in the Uttarkashi district for a first of its kind initiative. Jadung, uninhabited since 1962 due to the Indo-China dispute, will undergo a transformative process in the first phase, led by the Tourism Department.
As part of this initiative, the Tourism Department will renovate and restore six dilapidated homes in Jadung, turning them into Homestays. A distinctive aspect of this project is that, while the Department of Tourism oversees the redevelopment, the operation of these Homestays will be managed by the villagers. The refurbishment will adhere to vernacular architecture, utilizing locally available materials.
Sachin Kurve, Secretary of Tourism, emphasized that this approach will foster self-employment in Jadung, creating a distinctive tourism destination. Villagers are expected to operate the Homestays for a minimum of 10 years.
The selection of homestay operators will be carried out by the District Administration of Uttarkashi through a committee, involving applications from the original inhabitants of the village. The operational guidelines for the homestays have been finalized.
To further enhance the capabilities of homestay operators, the Tourism Department plans to provide ongoing skill and soft skills training. Additionally, the department will extend support for marketing and promotion of these homestays.
The Cabinet has approved this unique initiative, marking a milestone in government intervention towards reverse migration and creating new opportunities in tourism. The implementation of this scheme is anticipated to contribute significantly to the development of the region.
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