Gandhian model for industries in the hills

Nine years after it was carved out, Uttarakhand is yet to make any considerable headway on the industrial development front in the hills, which in turn has failed to stop the widespread migration of youths towards the plains.

Though the industries department here claims that small industries entailing an investment of over Rs 100 crore would set shops in the hills this year, experts today asked the government to focus on the Gandhian model that promotes eco-friendly village and cottage industries in the mountainous areas, which they believe have vast potential of generating new sources of income.

At a seminar here, experts from Mumbai-based Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Forest Research Institute (FRI), industrial sector, NGOs and Chief Minister R P Nisank sat together to discuss the promotion of industrial development in the hills.

R Chidambram, Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Prime Minister, called for utilising rural technologies for creating entrepreneur skills and employment opportunities in the hills. Giving a presentation, Chidambram said the central organisations like BARC and RUTAG have developed umpteen technologies which can be utilised for the development in the hills. He cited the examples of watermills which have now been upgraded to produce more electricity.

Nishank said his government was serious to promote industrialisation in the hills and called for promoting herbal-based industries. He said the government would now start offering special packaged “prasad” made of local-based resources at the Chardham temples comprising Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, which would generate more income for the tribal people of the area.

In his presentation, Pankaj Gupta, President of Indian Association of Uttarakhand (IAU) called for encouraging Gandhian model for industrial development in the hills. He said Mahatama Gandhi had advocated that village and cottage industries should be promoted which can now be replicated in the hills. He said the government should support the art of making souvenirs, handicrafts and other items on which small cottage industries in the sector can be set up.

Rakesh Oberai, Chairman CII Uttarakhand State Council called for promoting green industries in the hills and said the government should focus on organic farming. The agri produce of the state both processed and unprocessed should be marketed under a common brand, he said.