Pithoragarh Report ENGLISH

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
MIGRTATION COMMISSION,
UTTARAKHAND, PAURI
PITHORAGARH DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING SOCIO-ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF PITHORAGARH DISTRICT FOR
MITIGATING OUT-MIGRATION
OCTOBER 2019
1
PREFACE
Pithoragarh is the eastern most district of the state Uttarakhand. It forms about 13.29% of
the state’s geographical area, has 4.80% of the state’s total population, and the eighth most
populated district of the state. The total population of the district as per 2011 census is 4,83,439
of which the total rural population is around 85.69%. The population density is around 58
persons per sq.km. for 2011 census, making it the third most sparsely populated district of
Uttarakhand after Uttarkashi and Chamoli and has a sex ratio of 1020. Pithoragarh is by far the
largest town of the district.
In the last 10 years, a total of 31,789 persons from 589 gram panchayats have migrated on a
semi-permanent basis, though they come to their homes in the villages from time to time and
have not migrated permanently. During this period there are 9,883 permanent migrants from 384
gram panchayats. Data indicates that there are more semi-permanent migrants than permanent
migrants in all districts of the state. Recent trends show that people are migrating from villages
to small towns within the district and also to other parts of the state. Better livelihood
opportunities, medical and educational facilities are the main causes for this migration.
The problem of migration from the rural areas of the district is posing multiple
challenges due to economic disparities; declining agriculture; low rural incomes and a stressed
rural economy. It is this context that the commission carried out a detailed socio-economic
analysis of each block of Pithoragarh district. This report examines the socio-economic
parameters of the district in detail, particularly with reference to those which have a bearing on
out migration. Recommendations for strengthening the rural socio-economy of the district have
been presented, which would arrest the migration of people from these areas. Consultations with
various stakeholders including state and district officials and local people were also done before
arriving at recommendations.
The commission gratefully acknowledges the guidance and encouragement given by its
Chairman, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Uttarakhand; for suggestions
and support to Mrs Manisha Pawar, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, Uttarakhand
Government; District Magistrate Pithoragarh and his team of officials; officials and staff of
various line departments; all public representatives of the district; all senior officers of the
district; NGO’s and villagers .Dr R S Pokhariya, Member Secretary; Shri G B Chandani,
Research Officer; Ms Divya Pandey and Shri Govind Singh Dhami, Young Professionals of the
commission for their untiring efforts in preparing this report.
October 2019 Dr. Sharad Singh Negi

Vice Chairman
2
CONTENTS
Chapter I: Introduction 4
Chapter II: Block-wise Socio-Economic Data, Analysis and Trends 8
Chapter III: Status of Migration 27
Chapter IV: Current Rural Socio-Economic Development Programs 38
Chapter V: Analysis and Recommendations 54
3
4
Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 District Profile

Carved out from district Almora in 1960, district Pithoragarh is the eastern most district
of the state Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of 1650 m above the mean sea level, the district
headquarter is a beautiful valley known as Soar valley. Due to this beautiful valley, picturesque
landscapes and splendid weather the district is also known as Mini Kashmir. The district’s
eastern border touches the Nepal, with river Kali making a natural border between the two
nations, and share the northern border with Tibet (China). South to the district there are districts
Champawat and Almora, and on west there are districts Chamoli and Bageshwar. With a total
geographical area of 7,090 sq. km, Pithoragarh is the third largest district in the state after
Uttarkashi and Chamoli.Pithoragarh is known for its beautiful landscapes, meadows and passes,
flora and fauna, temples, and snow covered peaks. Some of the major rivers flowing through the
district are Sharda, Dhauliganga, Saryu, Ramganga etc.
Figure 1, Source: https://pithoragarh.nic.in/map-of-district/
5
1.2 Population
The district has a total population of 4,83,439 of which 2,39,306 is male and 2,44,133 is
female population, according to 2011 census. The decadal population growth for 2011 is 4.58%
and there has been a declining trend over last four censuses in this growth, for 2001 census it
was nearly 11%.
1.3 Topography
Pithoragarh is a hilly district surrounded by the snow clad Himaylayas and valleys in
between. The altitude of the district ranges from 2,000 ft. to 20,000 ft. The high mountain peaks,
meadows, and the passes are present in the Northernand Eastern part of the district.
1.4 Administrative Set-up

The district has been divided into 11 Tehsils and 8 Development Blocks. Further, there
are 64 Nyay Panchayats, 690 Gram Panchayats, and 1657 villages. Thal, Ganai Gangoli,
Kanalichina, Bangapani, and Develthal are four newly created Tehsils.
Table 1.1: Administrative Set-up

S.No. Name of Tehsil Name of Blocks
1 Munsyari Munsyari
2 Dharchula Dharchula
3 Didihat Didihat
4 Gangolihat Gangolihat
5 Pithoragarh Bin
6 Berinag Berinag
7 GanaiGangoli Munakote
8 Bangapani Kanalichina
9 Thal
10 Kanalichina
11 Devalthal
Source: https://pithoragarh.nic.in/
1.5 Urban Centres

The district headquarter Pithoragarh is the largest urban centre with a population of
nearly 1,66,801(2011 census), which is almost 35% of the district’s population. It has several
cantonment areas belonging to Army, ITPB, and SSB. Other than this there are four
municipalities in the district viz. Didihat, Berinag, Dharchula, and Gangolihat.
6
1.6 Climate
The entire district is mountainous and has a range of climate from mild hot in summers
to extreme cold in winters. The upper regions of the district bordering Tibet/China are snow
covered all round the year and the meadows are snow covered for six months in a year. Most
part of the district receives snowfall during the winters and rainfall in monsoon.
1.7 Process and Methodology

This report examines the socio-economic parameters of the district in detail, particularly
with reference to those which have a bearing on out migration. The secondary information has
been obtained from district offices of line departments and published and unpublished reports.
Primary information has been collected on the basis of field visits by the team of the
commission; Block Development Officers and Village Development Officers. The Data from
every Block has been collected and analysed. The Data and the information is based on the
primary survey done for the Commission on a specific questionnaire format at the Village and
Block level by Village Development Officers (VDOs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs)
and also on the basis of extensive interactions with field staff, local residents, NGOs, and CBOs.
Recommendations for strengthening the rural socio-economy of the district have been
presented. These recommendations will boost the rural socio-economy, particularly of those
villages where there has been considerable out-migration, thus helping to mitigate the problem
and reduce migration.
References
 https://pithoragarh.nic.in
 Census 2011- Uttarakhand, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner,
India
 Department of Economics & Statistics, Uttarakhand
 PithoragarhStatistical Magazines
7
Chapter II
BLOCK-WISE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA, ANALYSIS

AND TRENDS
2.1. Demography
District Pithoragarhis a hill district of Kumaun division of the state. It forms about
13.29% of the state’s geographical area, has 4.80% of the state’s total population, and the eighth
most populated district of the state. It shares international borders with Tibet (China) in the
North and Nepal in the East, and has a strategic importance. Several passes in the district open
out in Tibet. The total population of the district as per 2011 census is 4,83,439 of which the total
rural population is around 85.69%. The population density is around 58 persons per sq.km. for
2011 census, making it the third most sparsely populated district of Uttarakhand after Uttarkashi
and Chamoli and has a sex ratio of 1020. According to Uttarakh and HDR report 2018, district
Pithoragarh has state’s highest life expectancy of 72.1 years, while state’s average is 71.5 years.
2.2. Population
Population: District Pithoragarh

600000
483439
500000
415163 416647
400000 462289
Population
287083
365202
300000
344143
195239 216660
200000 255284
196988
168477
100000
0
1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
Census Year
Figure 1, Source: DES, Pithoragarh
8
Population Growth %
25.00%
19.88% 20.64%
20.00% 17.83%
15.88%
14.09%
15.00% 10.95%
9.99%
% Growth
10.00% 12.46%
0.90% 4.58%
5.00%
0.00%
1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011
-5.00%
-10.00%
-12.03%
-15.00%
Census Year
The graph above shows that the population of the district has been in a declining trend
since 1991 census. In 2011 the district’s total population growth is 4.58% whereas the rural
population grew at the rate of -2.07%, shown is table below.
Table 2.1: District’s Population Distribution

% Change
Area Population Total
Year/ Block Rural Population in Rural
(Sq.Km) Density Population
Population
Total Male Female
1991 7217.7 -- 416647 380950 189216 191734 11.25%
2001 7090 -- 462289 402456 194810 207646 5.65%
2011 7090 -- 483439 394359 193002 201357 -2.01%
Block Wise (2011)
Munsiyari 2617 18 41412 41412 20237 21175 -11.03%
Dharchula 2884 20 58413 58413 29320 29093 14.48%
Berinag 193 225 43502 43502 20792 22710 -13.71%
Didihat 209 160 33505 33505 16741 16764 -5.97%
Kanalichina 352 118 41652 41652 20143 21509 -7.77%
Gangolihat 307 211 64808 64808 30815 33993 -7.90%
Pithoragarh 169 380 64200 64200 31836 32364 12.21%
Munakot 198 235 46557 46557 22949 23608 1.14%
Total Block 6929 60 394049 394049 192833 201216 -2.07
Forest 114 -- 310 310 169 141 362.69%
Rural Area 7043 -- 394359 394359 193002 201357 -2.01%
Urban Area 47 -- 89080 -- -- -- --
Total District 7090 60 483439 394359 193002 201357 --
Source: DES, Pithoragarh
9
The table above shows the block wise population figures, with Gangolihat having the
maximum population whereas Didihat having the lowest population.There are about 41,669
people from 973 villages/tok who have migrated permanently or semi-permanently to other
places. Most of the migrants, nearly 34.33% have migrated to other districts of the state, 33.07%
to the district headquarter. About 40.78% of the population’s is engaged in agriculture, 38.67%
as daily wage labourer, 15.13% in government services, and very small proportion of the
population is engaged in other sectors like Horticulture, Dairy, etc.
Age-wise Population Distribution

100000 92485
90000
80000
70000
Population
60000 52906
49280 52120
50000 41913
36910
40000 32813 30470
28291 25175
30000 22604
17793
20000
10000 679
0
0-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 >60 NA
Age Group
Total Rural Urban
Main Occupation (District Average)

10.31
27.17
15.13
4.44
2.16
40.78
Labour Agriculture Horticulture Dairy Govt. Service Other
Figure 4, Source: Uttarakahand Migration Commission Report, 2018
Looking into the age-wise population classification, nearly 51% of the population living
in the district is either less than 20 years or more than 60 years i.e. the maximum to the
population is either school going children or old age people. The youth of the district is educated
10
and on completing the school education they move to cities for better higher education and
employment thereon.
2.3. Education and Literacy

District Pithoragarh has an Adult Literacy Rate of 89.54%, with Male literacy at 96.95%
and Female literacy at 82.09%, which is highest in the state and the Youth Literacy nearly at
100%.According to HDR 2018 report on Uttarakhand, the district has the Mean Years of
Schooling (MYS) of 8 years, Mean years of schooling is a calculation of the average number
of years of education received by people ages 25 and older in their lifetime, which is higher than
the state average of 7.5 years. Also, Pithoragarh has highest Expected Years of Schooling (EYS)
at 12.5 years, the EYS is a measure of the number of years of schooling a child at the start of his
or her education is expected to receive if the current rate of enrolments is maintained throughout
the child’s life, while the state average is 11.2 years. The dropout rate at the secondary level is
highest in the Pithoragarh district at 78.67%.
Literacy Rate- Pithoragarh

100 90.06 92.75
80.31 82.25
75.95
Literacy rate (%)
80 72.29
61.38 62.59
60
42.41
40
20
0
1991 2001 2011
Census
Male Female Total
Table 2.2: Block wise Educational Institutes in Pithoragarh

Junior Higher
Year/ Senior Basic Degree
Basic Secondary PG College
Block School College
School School
Total Girls Total Girls Total Girls Total Girls
2015-16 1491 391 69 243 20 3 0 4 0
2016-17 1380 350 69 267 20 3 0 4 0
2017-18 1380 350 69 267 20 3 0 4 0
11
Block Wise 2017-18
Munsiyari 172 40 7 26 1 0 0 1 0
Dharchula 184 40 8 29 1 1 0 0 0
Berinag 153 32 8 26 2 0 0 1 0
Didihat 131 27 8 20 1 1 0 0 0
Kanalichina 151 37 8 28 2 0 0 1 0
Gangolihat 197 52 6 38 4 1 0 0 0
Pithoragarh 161 40 8 32 2 0 0 0 0
Munakot 146 31 12 35 1 0 0 0 0
Total Rural 1295 299 65 234 14 3 0 3 0
Total Urban 85 51 4 33 6 0 0 1 10
Total District 1380 350 69 267 20 3 0 4 10
Table 2.3: Block wise Training Institutes in Pithoragarh

Industrial Training Teacher Training
Year/ Block Polytechnic Institutes
Institutes Institutes
No. of No. of No. of
No. Intake No. Intake No. Intake
Seats Seats Seats
2014-15 8 715 494 16 864 734 1 50 43
2015-16 8 715 523 16 864 749 1 50 41
2016-17 8 884 376 18 1152 727 1 50 39
Block Wise 2017-18
Munsiyari 1 78 14 2 36 31 0 0 0
Dharchula 1 78 12 1 56 46 0 0 0
Berinag 1 78 5 3 144 49 0 0 0
Didihat 1 80 7 2 260 248 1 50 43
Kanalichina 1 128 102 2 96 0 0 0 0
Gangolihat 1 244 118 2 40 21 0 0 0
Pithoragarh 1 78 20 3 96 26 0 0 0
Munakot 1 120 98 2 96 31 0 0 0
Total Rural 8 884 376 17 824 452 1 50 43
Total Urban 0 0 0 1 328 275 1 0 0
Total District 8 884 376 18 1152 727 2 50 43
12
Every block has Polytechnic Institute and ITIs but only 42.53% seats in Polytechnic and
63.11% of seats in ITIs are occupied. ITI in block Kanalichina is non-functional, as there is no
intake for year 2016-17, some are functioning far below its capacity.
2.4. Health
Pithoragarh has the highest life expectancy at birth i.e. 72.1 years, for Male 69.5 and
Female 74.9 years. The percentage of households having no access to intuitional delivery
is32.4% for Pithoragarh. Both the rural and the urban population of the district incur higher
medical expenses as compared to the other districts. This is largely due to non-accessibility and
lack of infrastructure. The table below shows the data on allopathic health services in the
district.
Table 2.4: Block wise Hospitals and Health Centres in District Pithoragarh
Allopathic Primary
Total
Hospital/ Health
Year/Block No. of Total Staff
Dispensary Centre
Beds
(No.) (No.)
Para-
Doctor Others
Medical
2015-16 59 13 612 74 393 241
2016-17 59 13 612 71 415 206
2017-18 55 17 612 111 405 223
Block Wise 2017-18
Munsiyari 4 0 66 5 35 14
Dharchula 5 2 82 17 48 18
Berinag 5 1 34 6 35 18
Didihat 5 1 54 10 48 22
Kanalichina 5 4 40 10 44 22
Gangolihat 4 3 64 10 40 24
Pithoragarh 3 2 20 8 42 18
Munakot 2 4 24 11 40 18
Total Rural 33 17 384 77 332 154
Total Urban 22 0 228 34 73 69
Total District 55 17 612 111 405 223
The data shows that there are 1 doctors for nearly 5000 population or 22 doctors per lakh
population. The national average for per lakh population is 80 doctors.
13
2.5. Economy
The size of the economy i.e. GDDP at current prices is estimated as Rs.3,61,053 lakh in
year 2011-12, Rs.4,11,412 lakh in year 2012-13, Rs.5,00,499 lakh in year 2013-14, Rs.5,07,004
lakh in year 2014-15, Rs.5,44,556 lakh for year 2015-16 and Rs.6,03,799 lakh for the year 2016-
17. In terms of percentage growth the size of the economy increases by 13.95% in year 2012-13,
21.65% in 2013-14, 1.30% in year 2014-15, 7.41% in year 2015-16, and 10.88% in the year
2016-17 with respect to previous year respectively.
Per capita income is estimated Rs.66,606 in year 2011-12, Rs.74,656 in year 2012-13,
Rs.87,001 in year 2013-14, Rs.87,835 in year 2014-15, Rs.93,070 for year 2015-16, and
Rs.101734 for the year 2016-17. In terms of percentage growth, per capita NSDP at current
prices or per capita income increases by 12.09% in year 2012-13, 16.54% in year 2013-14,
0.96% in year 2014-15, 5.96% in year 2015-16, and 9.31% in year 2016-17 with respect to
previous year respectively.
Table 2.5: Gross District Domestic Product (at Current Prices)

2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Pithoragarh 361053 411412 500499 507004 544556 603799
DDP Growth % 13.95% 21.65% 1.30% 7.41% 10.88%
Uttarakhand 115328 131613 149074 161439 176171 195192
Uttarakhand Growth % 14.12% 13.27% 8.29% 9.13% 10.80%
GDDP (at Currenty Prices)

700000 21.65% 25.00%
603799
600000 544556
500499 507004 20.00%
GDDP (in INR)
500000 411412
% Growth
400000 361053 15.00%

13.95%
10.88%
300000 10.00%
200000 1.30% 7.41% 5.00%
100000
0 0.00%
2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Financial Year
Pithoragarh DDP Growth %
14
Primary Sector: Nearly 41% of the district’s population is engaged in agriculture as its main
occupation.Since the agriculture in the district is subsistence and does not add much to the
economy. The contribution of this sector towards GDDP has decreased from 25% in 2012-13 to
17.34% in 2016-17. District’s major crops are Paddy, Wheat, Maize,Mandua, Soyabean, Lentil,
etc.
Secondary Sector:Pithoragarh is a hilly district and no major industrial area is present and it’s
difficult to develop this sector due to the geographical terrain and because of this it is one of the
less developed districts.District has only one acre of industrial area mostly allotted to Iron works
and flour chakki. This sector has contributed around 33% to the GDDP in FY 2016-17.
Tertiary Sector: This sector has contributed around 49.01% to GDDP in FY 2016-17 and this is
mainly due to growth in tourism in the district. Pithoragarh is rich in natural beauty, religious
places and this needs to be pushed towards growth.
According to HDR 2017 report, two third of the populace of the district is self-employed
and this self-employment is shifting from Primary sector to Tertiary sector, but women majorly
engaged in farming. The amount of remittance into the district, more than Rs.1,00,000/-, is
36.7% and it is highest in the state. The poverty rate of the district is 13%. The table below
shows the monthly income of a rural family.
Table 2.6: Monthly Income of a Rural Family (%)

Less than 5000 Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000 More than Rs.10,000
Pithoragarh
62.83 19.78 17.39
Source: Economic Survey 2018
2.6. Agriculture
Majority of the population of the district is agriculture dependent, nearly 41%. The
contribution of this sector has shown a declining trend and this is mainly due to the subsistence
nature of farming,shrinking interest of the farmers and the returns. Further, the land holding are
small, the methods of farming are still traditional, and the total agriculture is rainfed.Nearly 73%
is the forest cover and less than 6% of the total geographical area is sown under agriculture.HDR
2018 report has identified the district Pithoragarh as the highest vulnerable district to Climate
Change and this will have a long term effects on crop production. The following table shows the
land use pattern and the major crops taken in the district.
15
Table 2.7: Land use (Area in Hectare)
Year/ Total Forest Cultivable Current Other Usar& Land Land use Pasture Area covered Net Area Gross Sown Area
Block Reported Wasteland Fallow Fallow unsuitable other than Land by Orchards, Sown Sown
Total Rabi Kharif Zaid
Area for Agriculture Gardens, Area More
Agriculture Trees and than
shrubs Once
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
2014-15 746734 540150 35085 4069 6306 20810 11459 45981 42579 40295 30970 71265 32073 39192 0
2015-16 746734 540150 35092 2915 5852 20810 11464 45981 42579 41891 29477 71368 32058 39310 0
2016-17 746734 540150 35204 3065 5890 20810 11469 45981 42574 41591 28489 70080 32026 38054 0
Block Wise (2016-17)
Munsiyari 184105 121708 11197 820 2076 8352 1002 17571 13903 7476 3896 11372 4014 7358 0
Dharchula 105036 75145 4604 105 1766 3281 1240 8526 6805 3564 1675 5239 2555 2684 0
Berinag 64961 45236 1282 217 773 956 1552 2750 6688 5507 3656 9163 4583 4580 0
Didihat 61413 41385 2283 54 582 700 1091 7290 3641 4387 2779 7166 2184 4982 0
Kanalichina 62878 41274 2879 183 650 2702 260 6731 2522 5677 3009 8686 4821 3865 0
Gangolihat 68068 46571 8385 863 43 3045 938 1021 1905 5297 4061 9358 4166 5192 0
Pithoragarh 55612 43533 1217 282 0 758 988 470 3903 4461 4563 9024 4371 4653 0
Munakot 62646 45545 3357 541 0 1016 2133 1622 3207 5222 4850 10072 5332 4740 0
Total Rural 664719 460397 35204 3065 5890 20810 9204 45981 42574 41591 28489 70080 32026 38054 0
Forest 79753 79753 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Urban 2262 0 0 0 0 0 2265 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 746734 540150 35204 3065 5890 20810 11469 45981 42574 41591 28489 70080 32026 38054 0
District
Source:DES, Pithoragarh
16
Table 2.8: Area Under Major Crops in Pithoragarh (Area in Hectares)
Year/ Mandua Total Total

Paddy Wheat Barley Maize Sawaan Soybean Potato
Block (Ragi) Pulses Oilseeds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
2014-15 20131 21796 3416 3079 7227 1280 4924 709 1582 1129
2015-16 20538 22551 3129 3490 6687 1021 4727 1023 1705 1016
2016-17 21309 22219 3027 2552 6142 992 7548 1032 1855 748
Munsiyari 2224 2915 618 386 536 75 979 133 199 139
Dharchula 2497 2644 493 386 541 72 1066 132 206 120
Berinag 2536 2690 336 526 917 169 817 135 218 160
Didihat 1994 2730 317 391 681 87 928 141 206 51
Kanalichina 4335 2600 243 202 701 96 1019 133 244 56
Gangolihat 2120 2688 272 210 1191 168 1077 97 211 64
Pithoragarh 3820 3394 323 225 795 159 821 93 234 98
Munakot 1783 2558 425 226 780 166 841 168 337 60
Total
Rural 21309 22219 3027 2552 6142 992 7548 1032 1855 748
Total
Urban 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total
District 21309 22219 3027 2552 6142 992 7548 1032 1855 748
Table 2.9: Production and Productivity of Major Crops

Production: metric ton Productivity: Q/Ha
Crops
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Paddy 25550 26720 28107 12.69 13.01 13.19
Wheat 30989 24469 35407 14.22 10.85 15.94
Mandua 10270 10683 9470 14.21 15.98 15.42
Maize 6370 4527 3404 20.69 12.97 13.34
Pulses 6152 7274 6119 7.68 9.43 8.82
Oilseeds 1361 1517 2074 8.6 8.9 15.49
17
2.7. Land Holding Pattern
Table 2.10: No. of Land-Holdings in the District

Year <0.5 Ha 0.5-1 Ha 1-2 Ha 2-4 Ha 4-10 Ha >10 Ha Total
2000-01 53974 21282 9663 1898 164 14 86995
2005-06 48040 22400 8381 1410 102 7 80340
2010-11 45971 24603 7881 1335 55 1 79846
2.8. Horticulture
Table 2.11: Horticulture Infrastructure in the District

Area under No. of No. of Fruit
Total No. of
Year Horticulture Horticulture Care Processing
Orchards Nurseries
crops (Ha.) Centres Units
2015-16 15 115.82 24 3 8
2016-17 15 115.82 24 3 8
2017-18 15 115.82 24 3 10
Block-Wise (2017-18)
Munsiyari 3 50.00 3 0 1
Dharchula 2 25.30 3 1 3
Berinag 1 2.25 3 0 0
Didihat 3 13.25 3 1 3
Kanalichina 1 2.00 3 0 2
Gangolihat 1 2.50 3 0 0
Pithoragarh 2 15.67 3 1 1
Munakot 2 4.85 3 0 0
Total District 15 115.82 24 3 10
The table above shows the total area under horticulture crops is just 115.82 hectares,
maximum being in Block Munsiyari followed by Dharchula. Having maximum area,
Munsiyarihas a single nursery and does not have a single processing unit. Block Munakot,
Kanalichina, Gangolihat, and Berinag also does not have a single processing unit. Further,
Berinag, Gangolihat, and Munakot does not have single nursery.
18
Table 2.12: Area and Production of Major Fruits in Pithoragarh(Area in Hectare and Production in metric tons)
Year/ Apple Pear Peach Plum Apricot Walnut Citrus Mango Litchi
Block Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod. Area Prod.
2015-16 1600 1815 1247 7489 996 1399 918 935 757 600 1905 382 3351 11054 2872 1777 527 370
118.6
2016-17 4 114.6 385 2499 286 915 172 310 80 255 261 1255 1206 18325 729 3128 220 310
2017-18 1610 2550 1252 12200 1012 3025 920 1350 760 1020 1924 1485 3355 17500 2875 2520 526 610
Munsiyari 750 1025 150 1345 125 415 120 183 101 110 261 197 226 1260 271 255 110 130
Dharchula 675 725 233 2425 110 385 105 169 81 120 138 115 563 2940 410 365 63 76
Berinag 30 145 70 696 82 380 120 155 83 120 211 169 360 1870 312 260 35 58
Didihat 20 145 139 1296 105 390 110 193 91 125 293 194 260 1320 287 245 59 70
Kanalichina 25 105 275 2675 135 205 120 139 103 135 371 295 656 3450 512 415 79 80
Gangolihat 40 160 110 1092 115 360 130 130 86 125 226 170 410 2035 440 395 65 81
Pithoragarh 20 135 135 1296 175 525 125 185 110 145 191 160 428 2250 261 220 45 50
Munakot 50 110 140 1375 165 365 90 196 105 140 233 185 452 2375 382 365 70 65
Total
District 1610 2550 1252 12200 1012 3025 920 1350 760 1020 1924 1485 3355 17500 2875 2520 526 610
19
2.9. Animal Husbandry
Table 2.13: Livestock Population in the District
Horse/
Year/Block Cow Buffalo Sheep Goat Pig Poultry
Pony
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9
2003 240748 86877 32804 145173 1043 151 50506
2007 227047 77688 39043 177529 2978 178 72640
2012 202104 50996 47336 201240 4219 230 40798
Block Wise (2012)
Munsiyari 36363 4289 22052 28256 736 0 1151
Dharchula 39577 6048 25277 28810 1326 88 4570
Berinag 21381 7631 0 21475 389 0 2189
Didihat 14043 5730 1 17257 306 4 2062
Kanalichina 17572 7164 0 21572 328 5 2581
Gangolihat 22557 12545 0 40011 308 3 9168
Pithoragarh 22820 3716 3 21039 342 24 8915
Munakot 24939 3867 2 21897 452 25 9280
Urban 2852 6 1 923 32 81 882
Total District 202104 50996 47336 201240 4219 230 40798
In the district, there has been a decline in the number of milch animals, both Cow and
Buffalo, over the past years. However, the population of goat is increasing significantly in the rural
areas of the district. Since 2017, ILSP has established a poultry federation in the district with both
backward and forward linkages provided to the poultry owners and due to this the numbers of
poultry birds has increased to a great extent.
2.10. Tourism
District Pithoragarh, also known as “Mini-Kashmir” is endowed with great beauty. Situated
inSoar valley with Nepal in the east and Tibet in the north, Pithoragarhis a tourists’ paradise. The
river Kali moving through the town which is pleasantly decorated with quiet sanctuaries, towns,
fortress, lavish green backwoods and regular assets, this place is a surprisingly beneficial
development for travel lovers.The famous tourist attractions of the district are-Munsiyari,
Pithoragarh Fort, Kapileshwar Mahadev, Dhwaj Temple, Nakuleshwar, Askot Sanctuary, Chaukori,
Jhula Ghat, Narayan Ashram, Patal Bhauvneshwar to name the few.
20
a. Patal Buvanaeshwar- Patal Bhubaneshwar, which literally means the sub-terraneanshrine
of Lord Shiva is a cave temple located about 91 kms from Pithoragarh and 14 kms north of
Gangolihat. The way to the temple is through a tunnel which leads into a cave and through a
narrow dark passage of water.
b. Munsyari-Munsyari acts as the base camp for treks to Milam, Ralam and Namik Glacier. It
stands at an altitude of 2,135 metres above sea level and the entire region is known as Johar
Valley. Situated around Munsyari are alpine lakes of Maheshwari Kund and Thamri Kund.
c. Dharchula-Situated on the banks of river Mahakali, Dharchula is the remotest block of the
district bordering Nepal in the east and Tibet in the North. It has been a seat of trade
between India-China-Nepal. Dharchula is on the route of Kailash Mansarovar and is visited
by numerous visitors every year. Also, it is on the route of Panchachulitrek and Om Parvat.
d. Narayan Ashram- The ashram was established by Narayan Swami in 1936, about 136 kms
north of Pithoragarh and 14 kms from Tawaghat. This spiritual cum socio educational centre
is set at an altitude of 2,734 metres amidst scenic surroundings. It has a school for local
children and imparts training to local youth. There is also a library, meditation room and
samadhisthal.
e. Askot Sanctuary-This beautiful sanctuary which is located about 54 kms from Pithoragarh
nestles at a height of 5,412 feet above sea level. It is very popular among wildlife enthusiasts
and nature lovers. It is a haven for snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer,
snowcocks, tahra, bharals, chirs, koklas, pheasants and chukors. The lush sanctuary area
dotted with temples is also a fine place to view the beauty of the Himalayas
f. Dhwaj Temple-Dhwaj temple is a very famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Maa
Jayanti and is about 10 kms by road and 4 kms on foot from Pithoragarh. It also provides a
breath-taking view of the snow-capped peaks that surround it.
g. Chaukori-The small hill town of Chaukori provides a great weather and majestic views of
snow-capped peaks. The entire area is filled with tea gardens and orchards. It is located
about 112 kms from Pithoragarh in Gangolihat.
h. Thal Kedar- A pilgrim spot, the Thal Kedar is nestled at an elevation of 880 meters above
sea level. The place is famous for its ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is
mentioned in the ancient text of the Skanda Purana. The location also offers some really
amazing views of the valley and is attracts several tourist during the festival of Shivratri
every year.
i. Mahakali Temple-Block Gangolihat is at a distance of 77 Km. from Pithoragarh. It is rich

in folk culture, music and religious traditions and had been chosen by Sankaracharya for the
installation of Mahakalishaktipith. Amidst the cluster of pine trees is situated the shakti
21
temple. In the direction opposite of the Kali temple about 2 Km. away is situated the
Chamunda temple which is believed to be in the centre of an area of wilderness exclusively
possessed by spirits and demons conquered by the Goddess in her fierce aspect. The temple
has an aura of mystery and weird charm and during the dark hours of night the spirits are
believed to have a free sway outside the temple premises.
Fairs and Festivals- Pithoragarh is known for distinct culture and traditions. We can see a mixed
culture of Uttarakhand, Tibet, and Nepal among the fairs, festival, dialects, food, art, etc.
a. Mostamanu Fair- Devotees of God Mosta travel far and away while worshiping the deity
and receive blessings in the form of prosperity and welfare. In order to celebrate the divine
presence, a local fair is also organized in the month of August-September, which includes a
large number of devotees, travellers, tourists etc.
b. ChhiplaJaat-The principal yatra starts from village Khela near Tawaghat. It goes through
thick forests, rocky lands and Bugyals. With folk drums, bhankaras (metalic pipe
instrument) and neja (the flag of red cloth pieces collected from all the families of the
villages) the jaat goes to Barmano, which is 6 Km from Khela. On the second day the
devotees go through a thick oak forest. After crossing Bunga,Garapani, Mangthilgwar,
Ganbhujdhura (the blooming bugyal) comes Brahmkund (18 Km).
c. Kandali festival- Kandali (Strobilentheswallichii)-Blooms once every 12 years and next in

2011) and the people celebrate Kandali festival between the months of August and October.
In the week-long festival the local people, Shaukas or the Rangs, participate with gaiety
enthusiasm in different villages of the region.
d. Hilljatra- A festival of pastoralists and agriculturist hilljatra came to Pithoragarh valley

from West Nepal and at once found fervour in Kumaur and Bajethi and in its modified form
as Hiranchital at Kanalichina and Askot. It is associated with ropai (paddy transplantation)
and allied agricultural activities of rainy season.
Other than these festivals there are several local fairs like Jauljibi and Thalmela, which are
primarily trade fairs, Navaratri mela at Hat Kalika temple, Kapileshwar fair during Shivratri, Nanda
Devi fair in Milam and Johar region of Munsiyari. Pithoragarh is a remote hills district with only
road connectivity. Due to its remoteness and in accessibility during rainy season, the number of
tourists are limited. Though the district has an airport but the flights are not operational.
Table 2.14: No. of Homestays in Pithoragarh

S.No. Category Urban Area Rural Area
Units Total Rooms Total Beds Units Total Rooms Total Beds
1 Gold 0 0 0 2 3 6
22
2 Silver 0 0 0 15 41 82
3 Bronze 0 0 0 124 327 685
Total 0 0 0 141 371 773
Source: https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/
A total of 773 units are registered under Home Stay scheme. The maximum numbers of
Home Stays are in Block Dharchula and Munsiyari. In the year 2018, 1,53,729 Indian, 656
foreigners and a total of 1,54,385 tourists visited Pithoragarh. These numbers can be increased
significantly provided the all-round connectivity to the district.
Table 2.15: Tourism Facilities in the District

Major Tourist Destinations 24
Tourist Rest House 21
Night Shelters 1
No. of beds in Tourist Rest House 473
No. of beds in Night Shelters 30
Hotels & Paying Guest house 120
No. of Dharamshala 1
2.11. Industry
Table 2.16: Industrial Units in Pithoragarh

By Industrial By
By Individual
S.No. Name of Agency Co-operative Registered Total
Panchayat Businessmen
Society Agency
1. Khadi Udhyog 0 2 0 0 2
Promoted by Khadi Gram
2. 0 0 0 2699 2699
Udhyog
3. Small Scale Industries
3.1 Engineering 0 0 0 288 288
3.2 Chemical 0 0 0 38 38
3.3 Processing 0 0 0 857 857
3.4 Handloom 0 0 0 430 430
3.5 Silk 0 0 0 0 0
3.6 Coir 0 0 0 0 0
23
3.7 Handicraft 0 0 0 148 148
3.8 Others 0 0 0 494 494
Persons Employed in Small
4. 0 30 0 12,095 12,125
Scale Industries
Table2.17: Industrial Units in Pithoragarh
Registered Industries Small Industrial Units Khadi GramUdhyog Units

Year/
Block
Persons Persons Persons
Units Units Units
Employed Employed Employed
2015-16 3 400 1920 5302 2601 5732
2016-17 3 400 2080 5647 2651 5904
2017-18 3 400 2255 6075 2701 6050
Munsiyari 0 0 194 438 338 790
Dharchula 0 0 238 534 312 608
Berinag 0 0 245 634 307 708
Didihat 0 0 241 583 167 495
Kanalichina 0 0 159 391 317 719
Gangolihat 0 0 169 431 295 606
Pithoragarh 3 400 290 939 655 1540
Munakot 0 0 234 563 298 555
Urban 0 0 485 1562 12 29
Total District 3 400 2255 6075 2701 6050
Table2.18: Data on MSME, Pithoragarh

Industry Type 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Micro 157 175 123
Small 2 2 0
Total Industries
Medium 1 0 0
Total 160 177 123
24
Micro 833 790.41 979.43
Total Investment Small 89 58 0
(in lakh) Medium 275 0 0
Total 1197 848.41 979.43
Micro 330 420 414
Small 5 16 0
Total Employment
Medium 8 0 0
Total 343 436 414
Source: https://www.doiuk.org/
The table above shows that the district has mainly Micro enterprises and also has the largest
investment and provided maximum employment. Since the district is hilly and the geographical
terrain in unsuitable for large industries, these Micro enterprises will help in developing the
economy.Further, several mineral like copper, limestone, dolomite, soapstone and magnesite are
found in the district.
Table 2.19: List of Minerals available in Pithoragarh

Estimated Actual
S.No. Mineral Area Usage
(in lakh tons) (in lakh tons)
Gangolihat,
1. Limestone Cement
Chonala area 600 160
Chandak, Puneri,
Pandeygaon,
2. Magnesite Steel Factory
Tandi-
gaon,Kanalichina 200 92
Devathal, Cosmetics, Paint,
3. Soapstone
Bhurmuni, Raiagar 60 35 Lubricants, Soap
Copper, Zinc and
4. Askote, Raigar
Graphite 13 13
Source: District Skill Gap for the State of Uttarakhand, NSDC
4.12. Employment and Skill Development

The table below is an estimate of workforce distribution in the district. The youths are
moving out of the district for better higher education, employment and other services and due to this
there is a serious gaps in demand and supply of skilled manpower. The incremental demand for
human resource by 2022 for top five sector would be in Education and Skill Development (0.18
lakh), Tourism, travel, hospitality & trade (0.14 lakh), Food Processing (0.10 lakh), Manufacturing
(0.074 lakh), and Building, Construction & Real Estate services (0.067 lakh). The majority of the
25
youth is unskilled, the training programs like computer, English speaking, etc. are generally
conducted but not the sectoral trainings like hospitality, food processing, packaging, marketing, etc.
This sector of skilling the youth must be focused and worked upon seriously.
Table 2.20: Estimated Workforce Distribution in Pithoragarh

Year 2012 2017 2022
Total Population 4,88,429 5,00,795 5,13,474
Working Age Population 3,01,849 3,24,964 3,49,848
Labour Force 1,86,915 2,45,749 2,32,530
Work Force 1,82,865 2,40,583 3,16,519
Incremental Manpower Supply 58,834 1,36,614
Source: District Skill Gap for the State of Uttarakhand, NSDC
References
 Uttrakhand Migration Commission Report, 2018
 Ministry of MSME, Government of India
 www.pithoragarh.nic.in; Official website of District Pithoragarh
 District Statistical Magazine 2018, Department of Economics & Statistics (DES),

Pithoragarh
 https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/; Official website of Uttarakhand Tourism
 District Domestic Product Estimate 2011-12 to 2016-17, Department of Economics &

Statistics (DES), Uttarakhand
 Uttarakhand Economic Survey, 20017-18
 Department of Agriculture, District Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Department of Horticulture, District Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 https://www.doiuk.org
 Human Development Report 2017, Uttarakhand
 National Skill Development Corporation, Report on Skill gap in Uttarakhand, 2017
26
CHAPTER 3
STATUS OF MIGRATION
In this chapter, analysis of the data collected on the basis of the survey conducted by the
commission in January 2018 in different gram panchayats of the state has been presented to bring
out various aspects of migration in the district.
3.1. Main Occupation

Analysis of the data shows that the main occupation of people living in different villages of
the state is Agriculture, followed by labor and government service. The district and state average of
the gram panchayat level data is presented in the tables below:
Table 3.1: Gram panchayat level main occupation (Pithoragarh)

Main occupation (in %)
District Name Govt.
Labor Agriculture Horticulture Dairy Other Total
Service
Pithoragarh 27.17 40.78 2.16 4.44 15.13 10.31 100.00
Table 3.2: Gram panchayat level main occupation (State average)

Main occupation (in %)
State Name Govt.
Labor Agriculture Horticulture Dairy Other Total
Service
Uttarakhand 32.22 43.59 2.11 2.64 10.82 8.63 100.00
3.2. Semi-Permanent and Permanent Migrants

In this section, the information on semi-permanent and permanent migrants has been
analyzed. In the last 10 years, a total of 31,789 persons from 589 gram panchayats have migrated on
a semi-permanent basis, though they come to their homes in the villages from time to time and have
not migrated permanently.
In the last 10 years, there are 9,883 permanent migrants from 384 gram panchayats. Data
indicates that there are more semi-permanent migrants than permanent migrants in all districts of
the state.
27
Table 3.3: District and Block wise migrants in last 10 years from gram panchayats
District Block Name No. of GPs (with No. of migrant No. of GPs (with No. of migrant over
Name semi-permanent over last 10 yrs permanent last 10 yrs
migration) / (semi- migration/ sold (permanent
Short term permanent their lands, migration/ sold
migration for migration)/ abandoned their lands,
livelihood Short term houses and abandoned houses
migration for seldom visit and seldom visit
livelihood village) village)
Pithoragarh Berinag 77 4,307 68 2,248
Pithoragarh Dharchula 57 6,330 8 465
Pithoragarh Didihat 69 2,210 60 1,394
Pithoragarh Gangolihat 58 1,713 27 443
Pithoragarh Kanalichina 91 3,779 90 2,660
Pithoragarh Munakot 75 5,801 44 1,052
Pithoragarh Munsyari 77 4,822 38 566
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh (Vin) 85 2,824 49 1,055
Total 589 31,789 384 9,883
Table 3.4: State wise migrants in last 10 years from gram panchayats
No. of GPs (with
No. of migrant over
No. of GPs (with No. of migrant over permanent
last 10 yrs (permanent
semi-permanent last 10 yrs (semi- migration/ sold
migration/ sold their
State Name migration) / Short permanent migration)/ their lands,
lands, abandoned
term migration for Short term migration abandoned houses
houses and seldom
livelihood for livelihood and seldom visit
visit village)
village)
Uttarakhand 6,338 383,726 3,946 118,981
28
3.3. Main Reasons For Migration
The main reason for migration is the problem of livelihood/ employment followed by dearth
of education; health and infrastructure. The detailed data has been provided in the tables below.
Table 3.5: District and Block wise main reasons for migration from gram panchayats Total
Main reason for migration from Gram panchayats (%)
Lack of medical facilities (%)
Loss of Farming caused by

Lack of Education facilities
Emulating family, Relative

Low Farm Production and
(Roads, Electricity, Water,
Lack of Infrastructure
Any other reason (%)

etc. for migration (%)
Lack or livelihood/
District Name
Block Name
wild animals (%)

employment (%)
Productivity (%)
etc.) (%)
(%)
Pithoragarh Berinag 47.99 12.21 13.62 7.06 6.60 2.35 6.57 3.61 100.00
Pithoragarh Dharchula 33.59 5.88 25.96 3.21 7.89 2.64 2.64 18.18 100.00
Pithoragarh Didihat 31.78 9.54 16.09 3.30 1.64 0.88 3.36 33.42 100.00
Pithoragarh Gangolihat 32.91 13.00 18.84 6.64 5.36 3.13 3.55 16.58 100.00
Pithoragarh Kanalichina 40.34 13.40 21.96 5.09 5.46 3.09 3.93 6.73 100.00
Pithoragarh Munakot 47.23 8.19 20.49 4.42 3.76 2.96 7.03 5.93 100.00
Pithoragarh Munsyari 48.12 12.30 26.36 4.41 2.34 0.86 1.55 4.05 100.00
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh 56.28 6.18 15.01 5.39 4.21 2.59 2.96 7.37 100.00
(Vin)
Total 42.81 10.13 19.52 4.97 4.66 2.36 4.08 11.48 100.00
Table 3.6: State wise main reasons for migration from gram panchayats
Main reason for migration from Gram panchayats (%)

Lack of Infrastructure
Low Farm Production
Any other reason (%)

and Productivity (%)
(Roads, Electricity,
Lack of Education
Lack or livelihood/
Emulating family,
Total
Loss of Farming
employment (%)
Lack of medical
Relative etc. for

Water, etc.) (%)
caused by wild
migration (%)
facilities (%)
facilities (%)
animals (%)
State Name
Uttarakhand 50.16 8.83 15.21 3.74 5.44 2.52 5.61 8.48 100.00
29
3.4. Age of Migrants
This section analyses the age of the migrants from the gram panchayats. More than 42% of the
migrants are between the age of 26 to 35 years. Detailed information of different blocks and
districts is given in the tables below:
Table 3.7: District and Block wise age of migrants from gram panchayats Total
District Name Block Name Block wise age of migrants from gram panchayats (%)
Block wise age of Block wise age of Block wise age of

migrants from gram migrants from migrants from gram
panchayats (%) gram panchayats panchayats (%)
(%)
Pithoragarh Berinag 29.26 43.51 27.23 100.00
Pithoragarh Dharchula 30.25 42.39 27.36 100.00
Pithoragarh Didihat 40.80 34.62 24.58 100.00
Pithoragarh Gangolihat 25.00 35.00 40.00 100.00
Pithoragarh Kanalichina 26.23 45.24 28.53 100.00
Pithoragarh Munakot 32.52 39.53 27.95 100.00
Pithoragarh Munsyari 25.28 48.36 26.36 100.00
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh (Vin) 20.92 43.68 35.39 100.00
Total 28.32 42.58 29.10 100.00
Table 3.8: State and Age wise Migration Status from gram panchayats
Total
Age wise Migration Status from gram panchayats (%)
State Name Age<25 years Age 26-35 years Age >35

(at present) (at present) (at present)
Uttarakhand 28.66 42.25 29.09 100.00
30
3.5. Destination of Migrants
This section presents the results of the analysis of the destination of migrants from gram
panchayats. About 35 % of migrants have gone to other districts of the state while 28% have
migrated outside the state.
Table 3.9: District and Block wise destination of migrants from Gram Panchayats Total
District Block Name Destination of migrants (%)
Name
Nearby District Other Districts Outside the Outside
Town Headquarter of the State state the
country
Pithoragarh Berinag 31.13 16.35 37.87 14.58 0.07 100.00
Pithoragarh Dharchula 19.83 27.74 40.07 12.15 0.20 100.00
Pithoragarh Didihat 37.59 32.93 19.14 10.34 0.00 100.00
Pithoragarh Gangolihat 7.14 17.86 37.86 34.29 2.86 100.00
Pithoragarh Kanalichina 11.43 43.51 31.92 12.83 0.30 100.00
Pithoragarh Munakot 8.83 42.64 27.98 20.23 0.32 100.00
Pithoragarh Munsyari 24.09 31.89 23.81 20.21 0.00 100.00
Pithoragarh Vin 0.61 31.99 46.68 20.54 0.18 100.00
Total 15.70 33.07 34.33 16.67 0.23 100.00
31
Table 3.10: State wise destination of migrants from Gram Panchayats Total
Destination of migrants (%)
State Name District Other Districts of Outside the Outside the

Nearby Town
Headquarter the State state country
Uttarakhand 19.46 15.18 35.69 28.72 0.96 100
3.6. Uninhabited Villages De-Populated After 2011

This section presents details of district and block wise summary of number of revenue
villages/ toks which have become de-populated after 2011; number not connected by roads; number
of villages where electricity is not available; drinking water not within 1 km; PHC not available
and number of such villages within 5 km of aerial distance from international border.
32
Table 3.11: District and Block wise Number of uninhabited revenue villages/toks at Gram Panchayat
Level (De-populated After 2011)
Total Revenue Villages/ Toks/Majra
District Name Block Name
(at present)
Pithoragarh Berinag 1
Pithoragarh Dharchula 3
Pithoragarh Gangolihat 55
Pithoragarh Kanalichina 2
Pithoragarh Munakot 5
Pithoragarh Munsyari 6
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh (Vin) 3
Total 75
Uttarakhand 734
Table 3.12: District and Block wise Number of uninhabited revenue villages/toks
at Gram Panchayat Level (Not Connected by Road)
Total Revenue Villages/Toks /
Majra (at present)
Pithoragarh Vin 1
Total 44
Uttarakhand 482
33
Level (Drinking water not within 1Km)
Total Revenue Villages/Toks /Majra (at
present)
Pithoragarh Vin 2
Total 45
Uttarakhand 399
Level (PHC not available)
Total Revenue Villages/Toks /Majra (at
present)
Pithoragarh Vin 3
Total 74
Uttarakhand 660
Level (within 5 Km from International Border)
District Name Block Name Total Revenue Villages/Toks /Majra (at present)
34
Total 8
Uttarakhand 14
3.7. Villages where people have migrated to during the last 10 years from other
villages/ towns and hamlets
This section presents details of district and block wise number of villages where people from
other villages/ towns and hamlets have migrated and settled
Table 3.16: District and Block wise Number of villages where people have in-migrated and settled in
last 10 years from other villages/ towns or small towns
District Name Block Name Number of villages where people have in-migrated and settled in
last 10 years from other villages/ towns or small towns
Pithoragarh Didihat 1
Pithoragarh Pithoragarh (Vin) 13
Total 69
Uttarakhand 850
3.8. Villages where population has declined by 50% after 2011

This section presents details of district and block wise summary of number of revenue
villages/ toks whose population has reduced by 50% after 2011; number not connected by roads;
number of villages where electricity is not available; drinking water not within 1 km; PHC not
available and number within 5 km of aerial distance from international border.
35
Table 3.17: District and Block wise Number of revenue villages/toks at Gram Panchayat Level (Population
reduced by 50% After 2011)
District Name Block Name Total Revenue Villages/Toks/Majra (at present
Total 45
Uttarakhand 565
Table 3.18: District and Block wise Number of revenue villages/toks at Gram Panchayat Level
(Population reduced by 50% After 2011) (Not Connected by Road)
Total Revenue Villages/ Toks/Majra (at
present
Total 23
Uttarakhand 367
(Population reduced by 50% After 2011) (Drinking water not within 1Km)
District Name Block Name Total Revenue Villages/Toks/Majra (at present
Total 25
Uttarakhand 203
36
(Population reduced by 50% After 2011) (PHC not available)
District Name Block Name Total Revenue Villages/Toks/Majra (at present)

Total 43
Uttarakhand 510
(Population reduced by 50% After 2011) (within 5 Km from International Border)
District Name Block Name Total Revenue Villages/Toks/Majra (at present)
Total 2
Uttarakhand 8
37
Chapter IV
CURRENT RURAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMMES
This chapter presents a summary of the ongoing Socio-Economic Programmes currently undertaken
by different government departments in Pithoragarh district.
4.1. Rural Development

The table 4.1 shows the different schemes and programmes undertaken by the Department of Rural
Development.
Table 4.1: Rural Development Schemes in Pithoragarh District (Amount in lakh)
Cumulative Expenditure
Total Amount available
compared to released
Amount released in
Amount Remaining
Amount spent as
Amount spent as
Name of Scheme
as on 01.04.2016
compared to (3)
Budget for
FY2016-17
FY2016-17
Achieved
Target
S.No.
Unit
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 MGNREGA 7.77 0.00 6180.20 4797.57 4797.57 4827.76 4797.57 13.01 Lakh 17.0
man 7
days
2 PMAY/IAY 0 0 552.50 202.80 202.80 202.80 202.80 425 No. 293
3 Indra Awas 0.08 0 -- 32.17 32.17 32.25 32.17 144 No. 140
Aapda
Package
4 DUGAY 0 0 41.25 0 0 0 0 55 No. 0
Hon’ble Chief Minister Scheme
A Block 81.60 36.43 0 0 0 81.60 36.43 200 No. 31

Munsiyari
B Block 103.01 87 0 0 0 103.01 87 200 No. 28

Dharchula
5 CCS 0 0 18.5 0 0 0 0 185 No. 0
38
6 Bio-gas 0 0 1.32 0 0 0 0 12 No. 12
7 DPAP 6.89 6.89 0 0 0 6.89 6.89 375 Ha. 115
8 BADP 1191.22 985.38 1421.03 1421.03 0 2612.25 985.38 0 No. 0
9 Vidhayak 1840.52 736.55 1500 1500 299.64 3340.52 1036.19 -- No. --

Nidhi
12 Uttarakhand 80.96 9.23 0 0 0 80.96 9.23 -- -- --

Border and
Backward
Area
Development
Source: Department of Rural Development, Uttarakhand
The table 4.2 shows the types and numbers of SHGs formed under NRLM in different
blocks of Pithoragarh District.
Table 4.2: SHGs Group Social Category Wise (Block Level)
CategoryWise SHG Minority CategoryWise Member
Block Pre- Sub Other Sub

S.No New Revived SC ST Minority PWD
Name NRLM Total s Total
1 Berinag 230 32 0 262 802 8 2 774 1586 3
2 Dharchula 550 10 0 560 1001 773 12 1916 3702 3
3 Didihat 83 11 3 97 230 0 0 342 572 2
4 Gangolihat 271 5 8 284 1054 1 0 818 1873 112
5 Kanalichina 14 0 0 14 74 0 0 13 87 68
6 Munakot 10 3 0 13 18 0 1 62 81 1
7 Munsyari 208 19 0 227 522 396 0 640 1558 6
8 Pithoragarh 11 0 0 11 34 0 0 34 68 30
Total 1377 80 11 1468 3735 1178 15 4599 9527 225

Data Source: www.nrlm.gov.in
Blocks like Vin (Pithoragarh), Munakot, and Kanalichilaare in the vicinity of the District
headquarters still have very less number of SHGsas compared to other blocks.
4.1.1. Aajivika: Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission has an ongoing program called ILSP
(Integrated Livelihood Support Program) in collaboration with IFAD (International Fund for
Agriculture Development). This program is focused on the Food Security and Livelihood
Enhancement, Watershed Development, Livelihood Financing, and Project Monitoring components
39
thorough various activities like formation of Producers’ groups, support in crop and livestock
production, backword and forward linkages, collection centres, and training. Several resource
centers and farm machinery banks have been set up under this program at the block level and
operated and managed by the community. Under this program, to facilitate the mechanization in
agriculture, multiple farm machinery banks are established at the block level. Local agencies,
working in particular area/block, are roped in for providing technical expertise in different fields
like agriculture, forest produce, skill building etc.
ILSP has been functional in Pithoragarh, Kanalichina, and Munakot Block The following table
shows the coverage of this program in district Pithoragarh.
Table 4.3: Household Coverage under ILSP Program in Pithoragarh

No. of HHs
No. of No. of HHs
No. of Groups Supported for No. of LCs
S.No. Project Block Villages Supported under
Supported Seed Capital (Registered)
Supported PG/VPG (1st)
(1st)
1 Kanalichina 112 363 3031 786 6
2 Munakot 61 413 3184 606 5
Vin 5
3 (Pithoragarh) 80 377 3026 625
Total 253 1153 9241 2017 16
Source: DPMU- ILSP, Pithoragarh
4.1.2. Border Area Development Program- Introduced in the year 1993-94, is a centrally
sponsored scheme for areas along the international borders. The development programs includes
socio-economic aspects such as Agriculture and allied sectors, education, health etc. These
programs are participatory and implemented on decentralised basis through Panchayati Raj
Institutions and local bodies. Since, the district shares its international borders with Nepal and
China, this program is being implemented in 4 development blocks viz. Dharchula, Munsiyari,
Kanalichina, and Munakot. The table below shows the financial status over the past 3 years under
BADP scheme.
Table 4.4: Financial Status under BADP Scheme (Pithoragarh)
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Amount Work Amount Work Amount Work
Expenditure Expenditure Expenditure
Block Released Done Released Done Released Done
(Rs.Lakh) (Rs.Lakh) (Rs.Lakh)
(Rs.Lakh) (No.) (Rs.Lakh) (No.) (Rs.Lakh) (No.)
Dharchula 667.17 667.17 89 651.57 651.57 87 621.29 286.79 33
Kanalichina 229.00 229.00 40 232.70 232.70 35 244.52 135.46 14
Munsiyari 462.59 462.59 61 406.85 406.85 55 394.46 158.08 2
Munakot 287.39 287.39 47 268.35 268.35 43 213.92 125.17 12
Total 1646.15 1646.15 237 1559.47 1559.47 220 1474.19 705.5 61
Source: Department of Rural Development, Pithoragarh
40
The amount released under this program has been decreasing over the last three years as
well as the number of work done.
4.1.3. Table 4.5 shows the status of MGNREGA in the district Pithoragarh. Under this scheme the
total expenditure for the entire district in the FY 2018-19 is Rs.5,138.34 Lakh, FY 2017-18 is
Rs.4,767.08 lakh, which was Rs.5,712.27 lakh for the FY 2016-17 (inclusive of both labour and
material part). This total expenditure has no significant trend in the last 3 financial years.
Table 4.5: District Pithoragarh (as on 30.06.2019)
Total No. of Blocks 8
Total No. of GPs 691
I. Job Card
Total No. of JobCards issued[In Lakhs] 0.64
Total No. of Workers[In Lakhs] 1.13
Total No. of Active Job Cards[In Lakhs] 0.53
Total No. of Active Workers[In Lakhs] 0.9
(i)SC worker against active workers[%] 21.75
(ii)ST worker against active workers[%] 3.31
II. Progress FY 2018-19 FY 2017-18 FY 2016-17
Approved Labour Budget[In Lakhs] 17.38 13.01 18.05
Persondays Generated so far[In Lakhs] 19.34 17.13 18.66
% of Total LB 111.3 131.69 103.36
% as per Proportionate LB
SC persondays % as of total persondays 21.21 21.63 22.95
ST persondays % as of total persondays 1.86 2.98 4.08
Women Persondays out of Total (%) 49.56 48.42 47.98
Average days of employment provided per Household 52.55 45.22 43.2
Average Wage rate per day per person(Rs.) 174.98 174.98 173.99
Total No of HHs completed 100 Days of Wage Employment 3,904 1,852 3,402
Total Households Worked[In Lakhs] 0.37 0.38 0.43
Total Individuals Worked[In Lakhs] 0.59 0.59 0.67
Differently abled persons worked 121 146 157
III. Works
Number of GPs with NIL exp. 2 0 0
Total No. of Works Take-up (New+Spill Over)[In Lakhs] 0.17 0.21 0.21
Number of Ongoing Works[In Lakhs] 0.07 0.08 0.13
Number of Completed Works 9,884 12,390 8,070
% of NRM Expenditure (Public+Individual) 65.96 58.53 50.91
41
% of Category B Works 38.97 28.22 16.39
% of Expenditure on Agriculture & Agriculture Allied Works 77.92 72.42 60.61
IV. Financial Progress
Total Exp.(Rs. in Lakhs.) 5,138.34 4,767.08 5,712.27
Wages(Rs. In Lakhs) 3,416.06 3,048.41 4,242.44
Material and skilled Wages(Rs. In Lakhs) 1,461.34 1,504.20 1,207.57
Material(%) 29.96 33.04 22.16
Total Adm. Expenditure (Rs. in Lakhs.) 260.94 214.47 262.26
Admin Exp. (%) 5.08 4.5 4.59
Average Cost Per Day Per Person(In Rs.) 270.98 247.66 232.69
% of Total Expenditure through EFMS 99.98 99.99 99.98
% payments generated within 15 days 99.98 96.19 89.9
Source: http://mnregaweb4.nic.in/netnrega/all_lvl_details_dashboard_new.aspx
4.1.4. GRAMYA:This program is undertaken by the State Watershed Development Directorate. It

works at the community level with Gram Panchayats, SHGs and Vulnerable Groups. Following
table shows the funding pattern in Vulnerable Groups in the District Pithoragarh.
Table 4.6: Funding of VGs under Gramya Scheme in Pithoragarh

Number of Groups
S.No. Year Activity Amount Funded
Funded
Carpet Making 1 1.00
Choliya Dance 1 1.00
Dairy 5 4.82
1 2016-17
Spice Mill 1 1.00
Tent House 10 10.00
Total 18 17.82
Candle Making 2 1.40
Carpet Making 2 1.70
Catering 1 1.00
2 2017-18 Dairy 8 8.00
Spice Mill 1 0.70
Tent House 12 9.90
Videography 1 0.90
Total 28 24.60
42
Dairy 3 3.00
3 2018-19 Spice Mill 1 1.00
Tent House 2 1.40
Total 7 6.40
Grand Total 53 48.82
Source: District Administration, Pithoragarh
Activities like Dairy and Tent House are apparently preferred options under this scheme.
4.2. Small & Medium Industries-

4.2.1. KVIB, Pithoragarh
Table 4.7: Progess under PMEGP Scheme in Pithoragarh

2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
S.No. Block Units Finance Jobs Units Finance Jobs Units Finance Jobs
(No.) (Rs. Lakh) (No.) (No.) (Rs. Lakh) (No.) (No.) (Rs. Lakh) (No.)
1 Munsiyari 1 6 4 4 13.8 8 11 42.23 25
2 Dharchula 6 14 8 9 28.1 17 4 12 7
3 Berinag 0 0 0 3 33 21 1 4 2
4 Didihat 4 19 13 4 12 7 0 0 0
5 Kanalichina 2 10 6 7 25.5 12 5 16.5 10
6 Gangolihat 0 0 0 10 40 21 4 16.74 10
7 Pithoragarh 4 20 12 3 8.5 5 10 42.18 25
8 Munakot 7 25 16 2 6 4 5 17.5 11
Total 24 94 59 42 166.9 95 40 151.15 90
Source: Khadi Gramodhyog, Pithoragarh
PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme) is a credit linked subsidy

scheme under MSME ministry. KVIC (Khadi & Village Industries Commission) is the nodal
agency at national level and implemented by District Industries Center within the district. The table
above has not shown a specific growth trend over the past years but blocks like Dharchula,
Munsiyari are having better performance than other blocks. Berinag, Gangolihat and Didihat are the
worst performers in this category.
43
Table 4.8: Progress under Interest Subsidy Scheme in Pithoragarh
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
S.No. Block Finance

Units Finance Jobs Units Finance Jobs Units Jobs
(Rs.
(No.) (Rs. Lakh) (No.) (No.) (Rs. Lakh) (No.) (No.) (No.)
Lakh)
1 Munsiyari 2 3.5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 Dharchula 5 15.5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 Berinag 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 Didihat 2 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 Kanalichina 5 19 8 2 7 5 0 0 0
6 Gangolihat 0 0 0 1 5 2 0 0 0
7 Pithoragarh 10 30.5 10 3 10 4 4 11 5
8 Munakot 1 2 1 2 8 2 1 5 3
Total 26 78.5 31 8 30 13 5 16 8
Source: Khadi Gramodhyog, Pithoragarh
Under the individual interest subsidy scheme there are only handful of units in blocks like
Vin, Kanalichina, Munakotand Gangolihat rest of the blocks have not a single unit under this
scheme.
4.3. Agriculture: Agriculture department has several schemes currently running in the district.
4.3.1. Centrally Sponsored Schemes

a. Rashtriya Khadya Shuraksha Mission (National Food Security Mission)-
The scheme launched in year October, 2007 by Government of India aims to
increase the annual production of food grains. The funding pattern between
Central to State is 90:10. Under this scheme crops like Rice, Wheat, coarse
cereals (maize, barley), Nutri Cereals (Mandua, Jhangora, Ramdana etc.),
Pulses (Urad, Gahat, Gram, Green Gram, Lentil etc.), Oilseeds (Soybean,
Mustard, Rapeseed etc.) are being promoted.
b. Rashtriya Samposhaniya Krishi Mission (National Mission for
Sustainable Agriculture)-National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
(NMSA) has been formulated for enhancing agricultural productivity
especially in rain-fed areas focusing on integrated farming, water use
efficiency, soil health management and synergizing resource conservation.
Under this scheme the following programmes are undertaken:
b.1. Rainfed Agriculture Development Scheme- Sponsored in ratio
90:10 between Centre and State. The programme aims to promote
44
rain-fed agriculture through Integrated Farming System, Water Use
Efficiency, Soil Health Management and Natural Resource
management. Within this Programme several farming systems are
adopted like Horticulture based farming system, Livestock based
faming system, Dairy based farming system, Fisheries based farming
system, Silvi-pastoral based farming system/NTFP poplar, Agro
forestry based farming system, and Value addition and resource
conservation.
b.2. Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme

b.3. Soil Health Management- the establishment of soil testing labs and
providing soil health cards free of cost to farmers.
c. National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET)

c.1. Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material
c.2. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization
c.3. ATMA
d. National Oilseeds and Oil Palm Mission
e. Pradhan Mantri Fasal BimaYojana (Prime Minister Crop Insurance
Scheme)- Launched in February, 2016, the scheme provides comprehensive
risk coverage from pre-sowing to post harvest losses due to non-preventable
natural risks.
f. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)-RKVY is a Government of India
scheme launched in 2007 to ensure a holistic development of agriculture and
allied sector by allowing states to choose their own agriculture and allied
sector development activities as per the district/state agriculture plan. RKVY
guidelines have been revamped as RKVY-RAFTAAR- (Remunerative
Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation) to enhance
efficiency, efficacy and inclusiveness of the programme for the remaining
period of the Fourteenth Finance Commission.
f.1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

f.2. Integrated Multipurpose Water Conservation Program
f.3. Organic farming Program
f.4. Gherbaad Yojana (Fencing Scheme)- Started in year 2014-15 to
protect farm and crops from wild animals like monkeys, wild boars
etc. This includes wall fencing, barbed wire fencing, solar fencing
and bio-fencing (plants used as fencing for main crop).
45
f.5. Kisan Mela (Farmer Fair)- In collaboration with several other
departments like Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Silk etc.
farmer fairs are organised at Nyay Panchayat level. These fairs
showcase different schemes for farmers.
f.6. Farm Mechanization- Under this programme several farm
implements are being provided to farmers at subsidised rate.
f.7. Natural Calamity
g. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana- This scheme aims to develop the
irrigation structures, increase the area under irrigation, integration of water
sources, judicious distribution and use of water, water conservation, and
groundwater recharge.
g.1. More Crop Per Drop
g.2. Integrated Watershed Management Program
h. Soil Testing Lab (Boron Analysis Program)
4.3.2. State Sponsored Schemes
a. Agriculture Development Programmes in SC/ST Villages-This scheme
aims to promote agriculture and allied activities in SC/ST populated villages.
Several schemes like seed mini-kit distribution, distribution of farm
implements, water conservation and harvesting, poultry, fisheries, poly-house
and other extension services are provided to the farmers of these
communities.
b. Pump-set, Sprinkler, farm implement program
4.3.3. District Schemes
a. Plant Protection- plant protection inputs like herbicides, pesticides, micro-
nutrients, light and pheromone traps etc. are provided to the farmers.
b. Seed Mini-kit Distribution- high quality seeds of cereals, pulses, oilseeds,
vegetables etc. are given to farmers.
c. Irrigation Development program- under this program water tanks and other
irrigation structures are constructed to facilitate irrigation. Convergence with
other programs like MNREGA is also done.
d. Vermi-compost- this program facilitates organic manure production through
vermicomposting and its use in agriculture.
e. Farm-Mechanization- Agriculture implements like tractors, power tillers,
thrashers, reapers etc. are provided at subsidised rate to the farmers.
Community owned Custom Hiring centres and Farm Machinery Banks are
also facilitated by the department under this program.
46
Keeda Jadi (Yarsagambu): The Economic Perspective
Cordycepssinensisor Yarsagambu, locally known as KeedaJadi, is a parasitic fungus
on Lepidopteran larvae and occurs at an altitude of over 4000 m. In Uttarakhand, it is
mainly concentrated in District Chamoli and Pithoragarh. In Dsitrict Pithoragarh Dharchula
block has the maximum collection of Yarsagambu. Areas like Chipla, Malpa, Dugtu,
Baling, Panchachuli, etc. in Dharchula block are the prime hotspots for collecting
Yarsagambu. Cordycepssinensishas been known for its medicinal values in the traditional
Chinese medicine. Some scholars have also written about its anti-cancerous properties.
There has been a continuous demand for this over a decade from Chinese markets but in the
last 5-6 years it has been extensively traded. In the year 2003-04 per piece was traded at
Rs.10-15, depending upon its size but in recent years, per piece price has reached around
Rs.500. collected by the local villagers, Yarsagambu is then aggregated in Dharchula by the
local traders and sold to big traders from Tibet and Nepal. This has given a major economic
boost to the local communities. The collection season starts as soon as the ice melts,
typically in the end of April, and extends till the month of July. An average individual
makes around Rs.50,000 to Rs.100,000 in a single collection season, depending upon the
collection and market price. Till last year the collection was free to for everyone but due to
high market value, extensive collection and harm to eco-system, the Government of
Uttarakhand has come up with the Policy on collection of Yarsagambu. This policy has
given rights to “Van Panchayats” to allot annual paid licences to individuals and the areas of
collection have been divided based on the villages. Now, no individual from outside the
village can collect Yarsagambu from the village’s designated area.
The collection and trade of Yarsagambu has recently been legalised by the state
authorities. Since, it has a tremendous potential in improving the local economy, the
government should promote its complete value chain under Non-Timber Forest Produce
(NTFPs), from collection to processing. This will help in fetching better price to villagers,
generate local employment and retaining the maximum profits within the community.
47
4.4. Horticulture
Table 4.9: Government Nurseries in Pithoragarh

S.No. Location Area (Ha.)
1. Bishad 11.68
2. Kanalichina 2.00
3. Didihat 2.00
4. Sandev 10.00
5. Baluwakot 2.30
6. Bhatka 23.20
7. Balati 40.00
8. Thal 1.35
9. Berinag 2.20
10. Gangolihat 2.50
11. Tiksen 2.00
12. Kwiti 8.00
13. Bhatyuda 4.07
14. Munakot 2.10
15. Badalu 3.50
Total 116.90
Source: Horticulture Department, Pithoragarh
Table 4.10: Expenditure Details of Horticulture Schemes in Pithoragarh (2018-19)

Proposed Expenditure in % Amount left
Amount Successive
S.No. Sector Estimated to Amount as on
Released Expenditure
Cost Released 01.04.2019
1. District Scheme 45.00 45.00 44.86 99.69 0.00
2. State Scheme 0.00 86.99 84.84 97.53 0.00
3. Central Sponsored 112.83 102.27 94.12 92.03 0.00
(HMNEH)
48
Table 4.11: Horticulture Development Schemes in District Pithoragarh
Exp.
S.No. State Sector Schemes (2017-18) Unit Figures
(in lakh)
1 Fencing of Existing Orchards 15.40 Ha. 15.40
2 Change of Sheets in Poly-houses 0.99 No. 26.00
3 Plantation of Fruit saplings 68.02 No. 135349.00
4 Off-Season Vegetable Production 3.49 Ha. 9.50
5 Grants for Spices Farming 25.09 Quintal 429.72
6 Construction of Vermicomposting units 10.00 No. 40.00
7 Mission Apple - Ha. -
8 Development of Walnut and other nut fruits 3.89 Ha. 2.00
9 Fruit Nursery Development - No. -
10 Renovation of Orchards - Ha. -
4.5. Animal Husbandry: The Animal Husbandry department has a number of programs running
in the district. The following shows the number of beneficiaries under different schemes.
Table 4.12: Schemes under Department of Animal Husbandry (Pithoragarh)

S.No. Name of Program 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
1. Milch Animal (Cow) 44 57 28 29
2. Goat Rearing (Units) 20 09 16 06
3. Ahilyabai Holkar Goat Rearing (Units) -- 15 10 --
4. Goat Rearing (for women) -- 24 --
5. Poultry 4000 4182 1873 0
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Pithoragarh
Livelihood Promotion Scheme is only for two Blocks viz. Munsiyari and Dharchula. The
table 4.18 below shows the details.
Table 4.13: Livelihood Promotion Scheme

2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Goat Goat Goat
Block Dairy Poultry Dairy Poultry Dairy Poultry
Rearing Rearing Rearing
Munsiyari 62 6 0 5 2 9 5 3 9
Dharchula 62 6 0 5 2 9 5 3 9
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Pithoragarh
49
There has been a gradual increase in goat rearing in the district, farmers take this as their
current asset and can sell round the year for quick income, therefore the department also
encouraging this activity among the villagers.
Poultry Project in Pithoragarh

This project is undertaken as a cluster approach under ILSP to bring entrepreneurship
among the local youths. The Project aims to develop villages as a centre of excellence. The
village Bhatedi, Block Munakot, Pithoragarh is one of the example as a centre of excellence of
poultry farming and indulge in sustained capacity building of these farmers, including preparing
smaller centres and organising these farmers and providing them training, technical support,
strengthening backward and forward linkages in outlets like Saras Market and opening other
outlets besides ensuring supply to the Army and Para-Military forces and aligning the poultry
farmers with the MSME scheme of the Industry Department. This village at the Indo-Nepal
border has around 27 poultry farms, with the total bird capacity of 40-45 thousand These farmers
have availed bank credit worth Rs.1.52 crore under MSME and National Livestock Mission
schemes. The federation has done a business of Rs.5.75 crore since 2017.The individual poultry
farmer is earning around 30-35 thousand per month and several youths working in Delhi NCR,
Chandigarh and other cities have returned to this village and started poultry business. Several
assets created for poultry farmers like water tank, electricity connection, compost pit etc. are
constructed under convergence program. It is expected that as the poultry farming touches new
milestones of success, it will go a long way to hinder youths migrating out from Pithoragarh and
other hill districts, a trend that is already visible.
Source: ILSP Annual Report, 2017-18
Fisheries- The Department of Fisheries has currently three schemes running in the district viz.
 Coldwater Fisheries Development Scheme
 Fisheries sub-scheme for Scheduled Castes
 Construction of Fish PondsScheme for hill areas
Table 4.14: No. of Fish Ponds in Pithoragarh

No. of Fish Ponds
S.No. Block
2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
1 Berinag 1 2 1 0
2 Munakot 21 7 5 6
3 Didihat 10 1 1 3
50
4 Bin 12 11 10 6
5 Kanalichina 9 15 4 5
6 Dharchula 15 12 10 16
7 Munsiyari 10 17 21 11
8 Gangolihat 0 2 2 1
Total 78 67 54 48
Source: Department of Fisheries, Pithoragarh
4.6. Tourism: Home-stay scheme and Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Self-Employment Scheme
are the two mains schemes under the tourism department. The department of tourism has
developmental projects under District Scheme, State, and centrally sponsored. These projects
include construction and/or renovation of temples, connecting roads, pavements, parks & gardens,
etc. The homestays run by the villagers has given them an additional source of income. The
maximum numbers of the Homestays are in Block Dharchula (87), followed by Block Munsiyari
(24). Dharchula has maximum homestays on Kailash Mansarovar route, Darma and Chaundas
valleys, while Munsiayri has almost all of its homestays in and around Munsiayri market. The
homestay activity is not the main source of income for the owners but is an additional source of
income. The months of March-June are the peak months while December-February and the
monsoon season is lean period. The table below gives the details of Homestays in the district. It is
clear that the two blocks viz. Dharchula and Munsiyari have nearly 80% of the total Homestays and
there are not even a single Homestays in blocks like Didihat and Munakot.
Table 4.15: Homestay Details in Pithoragarh

Block No. of Homestays
Munsiyari 24
Dharchula 87
Berinag 23
Didihat 0
Kanalichina 1
Gangolihat 2
Pithoragarh 4
Munakot 0
Total District 141
Source: Department of Tourism, Pithoragarh
51
Homestays in Kumaon
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd. (KMVN) has initiated the novel homestay
project in the tourism sector to meet the demands of the rapidly growing hospitality industry.
For last three years, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has been offering home-
stay services to tourists in some of the remote trekking routes of Kumaon. Some of the most
charming villages in the remote valleys of Vyans, Darma and Chaundas in the Pithoragarh
district of Kumaon were selected for theinitial phase of the homestay scheme. The
picturesque Kuti village was taken up by the KMVN as the first location for homestay.
Several old houses were renovated and were handed over to the locals for this purpose.
Managed by the locals, these home-stays have proved to be immensely popular among the
tourists, pilgrims and trekkers. The tourists were enthralled by this new experience since it
opened several new horizons to them including local cuisine and culture. The Nabi village
falls adjacent to Kuti and from the year 2017, the homestay facility was started in this village
too. The Nabi Home-stay scheme turned out to be a super success as the tourists
unanimously rated their stay in Nabi as the best during the Adi-Kailash trek. The KMVN
provided beddings, utensils, cutlery, toilets, bathrooms and other necessary items to the
households taking part in the home-stay scheme. The KMVN has brought all the accessible
villages of these valleys under the home-stay umbrella for a dual objective:
1. The home-stay scheme would open the doors for opening a new Tribal-circuit tourism in
the Darma valley.
2. Trekking and mountaineering can be taken to a new level through this scheme by
encouraging more and more trekking enthusiasts to visit the Darma valley that hosts the
base-camp of the Panchchuli Glacier.
All the homestay-villages undertaken by the KMVN fall on important trekking trails.
Source: UTDB, 2017
 Tourism Master Plan for Pithoragarh: This comprehensive plan covers the entire
Pithoragarh District. It is endowed with breath-taking mountains and 5 beautiful valleys and
provides the ultimate trekking and mountaineering destination. Apart from that the district
has been an important landmark of the so called Chand Rajas of Kumaon and thus offers a
variety of historic and cultural places of interest. Visits to the area confirms that Pithoragarh
52
and the areas north along the Kali River and inland towards Munsiyari holds tremendous
potential for all sorts of tourism.
 Development and Functioning of Naini-Saini Airport- Since, Pithoragarh is one of the

remotest districts of the state, it is usually inaccessible to tourists via roads. The district also
has an airport but at present the airport isn’t functional and needs to be open so that the
tourists, both nationally and internationally can visit the district.
References
 https://pithoragarh.nic.in/
 Department of Rural Development, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Department of Agriculture, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 www.nrlm.gov.in
 Department of Horticulture, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Department of Tourism, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Ministry of MSME, GoI
 District Industries Center, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 RTO, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 District Khadi Udhyog Department, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Department of Animal Husbandry, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
 Department of Fisheries, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
53
Chapter V
ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
With a total geographical area of 7,090 sq. km, Pithoragarh is the third largest district in the
state after Uttarkashi and Chamoli. The district has a total population of 4,83,439 of which 2,39,306 is
male and 2,44,133 is female population, according to 2011 census. The decadal population growth for
2011 is 4.58% and there has been a declining trend over last four censuses in this growth, for 2001
census it was nearly 11%. The district headquarter Pithoragarh is the largest urban centre with a
population of nearly 1,66,801(2011 census), which is almost 35% of the district’s population. The total
population of the district as per 2011 census is 4,83,439 of which the total rural population is around
85.69%. The population density is around 58 persons per sq.km. for 2011 census, making it the third
most sparsely populated district of Uttarakhand after Uttarkashi and Chamoli and has a sex ratio of
1020. According to Uttarakhand HDR report 2018, district Pithoragarh has state’s highest life
expectancy of 72.1 years, while state’s average is 71.5 years. In 2011 the district’s total population
growth is 4.58% whereas the rural population grew at the rate of -2.07%, shown is table below. The
rural population of all blocks except Dharchula and Pithoragarh show a declining trend during the
previous two census.
There are about 41,669 people from973 villages/tok who have migrated permanently or semi-
permanently to other places. Most of the migrants, nearly 34.33% have migrated to other districts of
the state, 33.07% to the district headquarter. About 40.78% of the population’s is engaged in
agriculture, 38.67% as daily wage laborers, 15.13% in government services, and very small proportion
of the population is engaged in other sectors like Horticulture, Dairy, etc.
The age-wise population classification, nearly 51% of the population living in the district is
either less than 20 years or more than 60 years i.e. the maximum of the population is either school
going children or old age people. The youth of the district is educated and on completing the school
education they move to cities for better higher education and employment thereon.
ECONOMY
The size of the economy i.e. GDDP at current prices is estimated as Rs.3,61,053 lakh in year
2011-12, Rs.4,11,412 lakh in year 2012-13, Rs.5,00,499 lakh in year 2013-14, Rs.5,07,004 lakh in year
2014-15, Rs.5,44,556 lakh for year 2015-16 and Rs.6,03,799 lakh for the year 2016-17. In terms of
percentage growth the size of the economy increases by 13.95% in year 2012-13, 21.65% in 2013-14,
1.30% in year 2014-15, 7.41% in year 2015-16, and 10.88% in the year 2016-17 with respect to
previous year respectively.
54
Per capita income is estimated Rs.66,606 in year 2011-12, Rs.74,656 in year 2012-13,
Rs.87,001 in year 2013-14, Rs.87,835 in year 2014-15, Rs.93,070 for year 2015-16, and Rs.101734 for
the year 2016-17. In terms of percentage growth, per capita NSDP at current prices or per capita
income increases by 12.09% in year 2012-13, 16.54% in year 2013-14, 0.96% in year 2014-15, 5.96%
in year 2015-16, and 9.31% in year 2016-17 with respect to previous year respectively.
Primary Sector: Nearly 41% of the district’s population is engaged in agriculture as its main
occupation. Since the agriculture in the district is subsistence and does not add much to the economy.
The contribution of this sector towards GDDP has decreased from 25% in 2012-13 to 17.34% in 2016-
17. District’s major crops are Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Mandua, Soyabean, Lentil, etc.
Secondary Sector: Pithoragarh is a hilly district and no major industrial area is present and it’s
difficult to develop this sector due to the geographical terrain and because of this it is one of the less
developed districts. District has only one acre of industrial area mostly allotted to Iron works and flour
chakki. This sector has contributed around 33% to the GDDP in FY 2016-17.
Tertiary Sector: This sector has contributed around 49.01% to GDDP in FY 2016-17 and this is
mainly due to growth in tourism in the district. Pithoragarh is rich in natural beauty, religious places
and this needs to be pushed towards growth.
According to HDR 2017 report, two third of the populace of the district is self-employed and
this self-employment is shifting from Primary sector to Tertiary sector, but women are mainly engaged
in farming. The amount of remittance into the district, more than Rs.1,00,000/-, is 36.7% and it is
highest in the state. The poverty rate of the district is 13%. The table below shows the monthly income
of a rural family.
Table 5.1: Average Monthly Income of a Rural Family (%)

Less than 5000 Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000 More than Rs.10,000
Pithoragarh
62.83 19.78 17.39
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Strengthening rural economy: It is apparent that the rural economy is weak, this is a major cause for
out migration from the rural areas. Village or gram panchayat specific strategies and action plans be
developed for implementation over the next 5 years. The successful example of Bhateri village in
Munakot block and Sarmoli villageof Munsiyari block shows that strengthening the village or gram
panchayat level socio-economy helps in improving incomes at the local level helps in reducing
migration and even facilitates return of some people back to the villages.
55
Gram panchayats or villages having easy access to urban areas in the district like Pithoragarh
and Dharchula have the advantage over others and can be taken up on priority basis. This is more
relevant in the case of Pithoragarh town where more than 20% of the total population of the district
resides. There is a large market for local produce.
Agriculture and non-agriculture income: There is scope for increasing income of the local
population from agriculture as well as non-agriculture sectors. This could include traditional
agriculture, cultivation of off-season vegetables, poultry, dairying, rearing goats, home stays etc. Often,
a rural family derives its income from multiple sources including remittance from outside. These
sources can be enhanced as even a marginal increase will made a significant impact of the lives of the
rural population.
Tackling water stress: There is acute shortage of water, particularly in the summer months in many
rural areas of the district e.g. Gangolihat and Berinag blocks. Augmentation of water availability needs
to be a priority sector for the district as this will help in making drinking water available and provide
lifesaving irrigation to the crops.
Challenge of climate change:Changing climatic conditions need to be taken into account while
planning and implementing programmes in the district in various sectors particularly agriculture and
horticulture. The State Action Plan on Climate Change is the guiding document and actions proposed in
it need to be followed.
Women centric approach: Women are the major stakeholders in the rural areas of the district. All
plans and their implementation must adopt a women centric approach for socio-economic upliftment
and rural development.
Convergence: There are many government run programmes for boosting the rural socio-economy. They
need to converge their programmes keeping in view this emergent need, which would lead to the
reduction of out-migration from the rural areas.
Skill development: Skill development programmes should focus on improving the skills that would suit
the local economic needs.These could be on improved agricultural technologies; off-season cropping;
food/fruit processing; dairying; milk products processing; hospitality etc. Entrepreneurship development
programmes also need to be conducted at the village or gram panchayat level.
Growth centres: The Uttarakhand government has launched an ambitious programme for supporting
growth centres in the rural areas of the state. There should be focus on these as growth centres have the
potential of transforming the rural economy and halting out migration from the rural areas of the state.
District level plan: The district authorities should draw up a detailed five year district level plan for
boosting the rural socio-economy which must include sub-plan of all sectors. Implementation of this
should be coordinated by a high powered committee headed by the District Magistrate.
56
SECTOR SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Many schemes for rural development which also help in boosting the rural socio-economy of
these areas is being implemented in the district. The Border Area Development Programme is also being
implemented in the border areas. Under NRLM, Self Help Groups have been constituted in all blocks
though the numbers in Blocks like Vin (Pithoragarh), Munakot, and Kanalichina in the vicinity of the
District headquarters have very less as compared to other blocks.ILSP has been functional in
Pithoragarh, Kanalichina, and Munakot Block.
Since, the district shares its international borders with Nepal and China, BADP is being
implemented in 4 development blocks viz. Dharchula, Munsiyari, Kanalichina, and Munakot.
However, the number of works and outlay under this has been decreasing over the years.
Under MGNREGA scheme the total expenditure for the entire district in the FY 2018-19 is
Rs.5,138.34 Lakh, FY 2017-18 is Rs.4,767.08 lakh, which was Rs.5,712.27 lakh for the FY 2016-17
(inclusive of both labour and material part). This total expenditure has no significant change in the last
3 financial years. GRAMYA has constituted and supported 53 groups in the last 3 years, most of whom
are functional and vibrant. Activities like Dairy and Tent House are apparently preferred options under
this scheme.
Recommendations:
MGNREGA
a- Since women account for more than 50% of the beneficiaries under MGNREGA, more focus
should be on works that lead to additional income for women folk. Efforts should be made to
maintain the representation of women at more than 50%, ensuring equal opportunity and
participation. Skill development of women be given priority so that they can benefit as skilled
workers rather than as unskilled ones.
b- There is a problem of damage to crops by animals like monkeys and wild boars. Though walls
for protection against wild boars are being constructed in some blocks, this needs to be done in
all districts, a scheme for creating assets for protecting crops against monkeys be devised with
the help of the forest department.
c- Water scarcity is emerging as a major problem in the rural areas of the state, both for drinking
and for irrigation. Works under this scheme may converge with interventions to tackle this
problem.
d- River rejuvenation works should be taken up.
57
e- Nurseries need to be raised in each gram panchayat under MGNREGA and other schemes for
grasses and other planting material.
DAY-NRLM
a- Medicinal and Aromatic plants have a good potential but currently it has not emerged as a
profit making activity. The efforts should be made to tap the real potential of this in the state
and transform it into one of the important livelihood generation activity.
b- SHGs provide a major boost for generating livelihoods and these should be the focus of rural
development schemes in all blocks as generation of sustainable livelihood would boost the rural
economy, thus helping to arrest migration. SHG federations are lacking or non-functional and
these should be strengthened.
ILSP- IFAD
a. A strong supply chain is a must for any business to flourish. It should be strengthened with
strategic market linkages and transportation facilities.
b. A direct supply chain should be established for hotels, resorts, government guest houses etc.
which enables them to buy from the local or nearby areas. This will reduce both transportation
price and generate income locally.
c. Monitoring is done both internally and externally by third party reviews. It can be observed that
externally funded projects have a well-defined, dynamic and interactive monitoring and
evaluation system. This should be adopted by all development schemes even if they are directly
funded by the government.
d. The presence of ‘Hilans’ brand on social media platforms can be increased. The story of the
collective/village can be linked with the product. It can be both included in the packaging and
used to create visibility and awareness through social media.
e. Focus should be not only in the preparation of the agribusiness plans but also their
implementation.
f. The value chain for pulses and traditional crops can be strengthened. Value chain of traditional
produce like manduwa, jhangora, red rice which are considered to have immense health
benefits can be created
STAFF
 In the district the number of posts vacant of Village Development Officer is high both
comparative to the plain districts. The posts should be filled as soon as possible so as to ensure
better and efficient implementation on ground.
58
 Training of staff of the Rural Development department also needs to be strengthened. The
training should be done on a regular basis after a gap of 6 months. This will help in on ground
productivity of the staff and better implementation.
 There is a shortage of field staff in the rural development department and some of Village
Development Officers are responsible for covering more than 35 gram panchayats many of
which are remote and difficult to reach. This issue needs to be addressed immediately.
AGRICULTURE
Majority of the population of the district is agriculture dependent, nearly 41%. The contribution
of this sector has shown a declining trend and this is mainly due to the subsistence nature of farming,
shrinking interest of the farmers and the returns. Further, the land holdings are small, the methods of
farming are still traditional, and the total agriculture is rainfed. Nearly 73% is the forest cover and less
than 6% of the total geographical area is sown under agriculture.HDR 2018 report has identified the
district Pithoragarh as the highest vulnerable district to Climate Change and this will have a long term
effects on crop production.
While there has been a slight increase in the net sown area between 2014-15 and 2016-17 but
the area sown more than once has decreased during this period. The area under paddy and wheat has
marginally increased while the area under barely, maize and mandua has decreased while area under
pulses has substantially increased. The productivity per hectare has increased in the case of paddy,
wheat and mandua but has declined for maize.
Recommendations
a) Diversification of agriculture is one of the main initiatives in the Uttarakhand Vision 2030.
b) Agro-processing facilities are lacking in numbers and there is no processing facility for pulses.
Processing units for pulses and agro-products need to be encouraged. The district agriculture
department needs to carry out an extensive survey of the production of agriculture crops in all
blocks of the state and come up with authentic figures of production so that potential investors
could know quantities of agro-products which are available.
c) Production of quality seeds for agriculture is also a matter of concern as much of this is coming
from outside the district and even the state. Hence, there is an issue of variation in the agro-
climatic conditions in which the seeds have been produced and where they are being sown.
There needs to be a focused effort for this by encouraging and training farmers for producing
seeds of different crops.
d) Seed production clusters have been formed in 5 blocks of Almora district and this activity has
also been taken up by in Pithoragarh district. This activity has the potential for generating
additional income and needs to be upscaled.
59
e) FPOs (Farmer Producers’ Organizations) can also be formed in the district considering the
major agricultural produce of the particular area or block. This can facilitate the land pooling,
farm mechanization, increased farm output and better negotiation power for farm produce to
farmers.
f) The agriculture department needs to study the existing marketing patterns in each block and
come up with practical measures to strengthen it. Connecting farmers to markets has also been
emphasized upon in the Uttarakhand vision 2030.
HORTICULTURE
The main horticulture crops are mango, pear, peach, plum, apple and citrus fruits. The total
area under fruits in the district is 115 hects which has remained more or less constant over the years.
However, the area under fruits is comparatively less in Berinag, Kanalicina, Gangolihat and Munakot
blocks, which it is substantial in Munisiyari block.
Recommendations
1- Marketing facilitation teams for horticultural produce including vegetables need to be set up at
the block level.
2- Encouraging groups of farmers shift to growing vegetables including potatoes on a large scale
in order to produce large volumes, as this will help in marketing their produce.
3- Even though there is production of vegetables in many pockets of the district, the quantities
produced are not sufficient enough to attract buyers from markets in large towns and cities and
much of it is consumed locally. This is a disincentive for farmers. Hence production in
volumes large enough to attract buyers from outside the state in villages or groups of villages
should be the focus.
4- There is scope for up scaling the area under fruits in the district. However, quality planting
material needs to be used keeping in view the better market which is available for such
fruits. Grafted variety of walnut can be introduced in the big way as the market for high
quality walnut is increasing worldwide.
5- There is also scope for encouraging local entrepreneurs for establishing private nurseries
for the production of quality planting material, as this will help to generate livelihoods.
There are only 3 registered private nurseries each in Pithoragarh out of 10 nurseries. These
need to be increased.
6- Abandoned agricultural fields in the district, particularly those near existing fruit
plantations need to be identified for expansion of fruit production in the district.
60
7- The focus needs to be on production of the right variety in large quantities so that fruits
from the district can be exported to large markets in Delhi and other big cities. However, if
the quantity is substantial the new market players like Big Basket and Farm-pik can be at
the farm gate for the produce.
8- The area under fruit crops needs to be increased as there are large patches of cultivable
lands available in many blocks like Berinag, Kanalicina, Gangolihat and Munakot.
9- Floriculture particularly the production of marigold flowers which are used in temples
across the district needs to be promoted on a large scale.
10- Grafted variety of walnut needs to be introduced on a large scale.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
There has been an apparent growth in the animal husbandry sector in the district. The
population of cows and buffaloes has decreased between 2003 and 2012. However, there has been a
substantial increase in the population of goats. It is quite high in Munsiyari, Dharchula blocks, though
Gangolihat block has the highest population of goats. The number of poultry birds is high in
Gangolihat, Pithoragarh and Munakot blocks.
Recommendations:
1- Since the number of urban centres in the state are increasing, there is an upsurge in the demand
of Milk and milk products. This can be met with by small dairies.
2- Quality of livestock needs to be improved so that dairying farming can become the main source
of income of as many families as possible. The target should be not only to make each district
self-sufficient in milk and milk production but also to market milk to other areas.
3- Milk producers can be given training in processing of their produce into cottage cheese and
ghee for better returns.
4- Goat rearing is being practiced in many gram panchayats and this can be up scaled for
generating additional livelihoods. The breed of goats needs to be improved across the hill
district as this activity has the potential to substantially enhance incomes.
5- Poultry is also an important activity that is generating considerable income to the rural
population in some tracts e.g. Bhateri village of Munakot block. This example can be replicated
elsewhere.
6- The department of animal husbandry/dairying should commission a study on the present status
of animal husbandry in the district; marketing; animal health; AI; etc. and then draw a plan for
strengthening this sector so that it can contribute to the village economy.
61
7- There is an apparent scarcity of fodder in the district. The department needs to plan a special
scheme for increasing fodder availability through grassland and fodder development.
TOURISM
Pithoragarh district attracts lakhs of tourists every year who come for hiking, trekking,
mountaineering and sightseeing. The annual pilgrimage to Mansorvar also passes through the district.
There are also many festivals and fairs which attract people not only from the district but also from
other part of Uttarakhand and elsewhere.
Lack of air connectivity is a major constraint in the development of tourism in the district as
most parts of Pithoragarh district are located far away from the nearest airport at Pantnagar and rail
head at Kathogdam or Tanakpur.
The number of homestays is increasing, with 141 registered units having a bed capacity of 773
beds.
Recommendations
1- The district should endeavour to promote local handicrafts; cuisine, local culture and festivals
amongst eco-tourists. Local festivals and events can be linked with development of nature
based destinations. This helps in conserving the local culture as well as the tourists
experiencing the local festivities.
2- Linkages with the hotel industry should be established enhancing demand of local produce.
Maximum procurement should be done locally, thereby creating an assured market for the local
farmers and also establishing a partnership between the local communities and hotel industry.
3- A district tourism development plan for all districts may be formulated which would identify
different destinations at the block level, adding up to a broad plan for the entire district. This
should also identify livelihood opportunities and converge with the capacity building
programmes under different schemes.
4- Though the Home stay scheme comes as a welcome step in development of rural tourism in the
state and a can serve as a source of livelihood development for the local communities, some
gaps are evident. The current registered home stays show a skewed distribution of home stays
among different districts. The distribution is highly uneven. At the same time the details of the
home stays present on the website are not complete.
5- Linkages of home stay development with other nature based activities like nature walks, hiking,
trekking and various other surrounding Nature Based activities should be established. Home
stays can be developed strategically in villages enroute important trekking and mountaineering
routes. This will merge adventure activities with promotion of local culture and cuisine.
62
Tourists generally don’t prefer to walk/climb a mile to stay in Homestays, there is need of
connecting villages with motorable roads for the convenience of the incoming tourists. Skill
development of home stay owners is also needed
6- The district needs to develop a comprehensive and time bound district tourism development
plan.
7- Efforts be made to start regular commercial flights to Pithoragarh airport for increasing tourism
in the district.
8- The maximum number of homestays are in Dharchula and Munisiyari blocks. There is a need
to facilitate setting up of more homestays in other blocks of the district, particularly in Didihat,
Kanalichina, Pithoragarh and Munakot blocks.
INDUSTRIES
Like other hill districts of the state, Pithoragarh too has many micro enterprises, which include
hundreds of small units such as mobile repair shops, dhabas, flour units etc. which are providing
livelihood for many persons. Most of these are under PMRSY, which provides for small loans to
persons interested in setting up these units. However, their distribution across the district is not
uniform.The number of MSME’s in Pithoragarh district are maximum in Vin and Munakot blocks
and minimum in blocks like Kanalichina, Gangolihat, Didihat and Munsiyari.
Recommendations
1- The MSME sector has a high potential for transforming the socio-economy of the rural areas of
the hill districts. Data suggests that there employment to about 55 persons for every Rs.1.00
crore of investment. The types of micro, small and artisan units which have come up in
relatively large numbers include agro-based readymade garments/ embroidery; wood/ wood
based furniture and repairing and servicing units. However, their distribution is not uniform
across all the blocks. The potential for such units in each blocks can be examined and they may
be promoted as this would boost the block/ gram panchayat level socio-economy.
2- The authorities responsible for promoting the growth of this sector need to prepare a block wise
plan for the development of micro, small and artisan units considering the local conditions.
3- Data shows that development of MSMEs is lacking or almost negligible in some blocks of the
hill districts. Special attention needs to be paid for expanding micro and small enterprises and
artisan units in all blocks. .
4- Capacity building programmes in the district should also be in tune with the requirements of
this plan for development of micro, small and artisan units in the district.
63
5- Entrepreneurship development programmes may be conducted and handholding of
entrepreneurs done particularly in gram panchayats where such units are lacking.
6- Development of food processing, horticulture, floriculture, tourism etc are the focus sectors. A
strong connectivity, Supply chain and availability of resources and marketplace is a must for
the success of this. Efforts should be made to strengthen infrastructure and maintaining
continuous availability of resources.
7- Healthcare and wellness is one of the fastest growing sector in the country. Given to the good
climate and relatively less pollution the state has immense potential for Healthcare sector. With
central scheme of AYUSH, the state could align with it and benefit from it in developing
Healthcare and wellness in the state.
8- An action plan for promotion of MSMEs in the state should be prepared. This plan should
identify the scope of different opportunities in different blocks. It should identify the resource
availability in the area and feasible businesses that can come up in the region. The plan should
be region specific, done by SWOT analysis. This will also help in even distribution of MSMEs
in the district, developing enterprises which are best suited for the region.
9- Handholding will play an important role in development of MSME in the state. Community
participation for identifying avenues should be explored. Entrepreneurship development
programme should be conducted.
10- Training for digital literacy and soft skills can be done to open bigger markets for the artisans.
Door to door hawking is a thing of past, the weavers and artisans should be able to sell their
product online. They should also be up to date with the market demands and constant efforts
should be made to enhance their skills.
11- Many Rural development schemes support enterprises both individually and through SHGs.
Strong convergence in needed between the departments for shared benefits, knowledge sharing
and holistic development.
MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS
Medicinal and Aromatic (MAP) are being promoted through the horticulture department, involving
plantations in clusters; extraction of essential oils and training programmes in some parts of the
district. The following recommendations are being made for strengthening this sector which can
contribute in enhancing the rural socio-economy, thereby mitigating out-migration.
a- The variety of MAP species can easily be increased as at present the focus is only on a few
species. Diversity in species, increase in area and number of villages/clusters covered needs to
be substantially increased for generating additional income for rural families.
64
b- Promotion of MAP should be the focus in all the blocks .This activity would also contribute to
the wellness of the community by generating raw materials for the Ayurveda industry.
c- This activity is better done through a separate agency like the State Medicinal Plants Board
rather than being with the horticulture department, where it loses focus due to the many other
programmes being implemented by the department.
CORDYSEPS SINENSIS
Yarchagombu or Keera Jadi is an important source of livelihood for the people of Dharchula
and Munsiyari blocks. However, bulk of the collection and trade is unregistered and perhaps
unsustainable. The state government has issued detailed orders for collection and trade including
collection of royalty for this natural product on 8th October 2018. There is lack of awareness of these
orders amongst the collectors and also amongst many officials. Efforts to be made to implement
these orders in letter and spirit and the ground realities be reviewed after 2 or 3 seasons. The forest
department also needs to collect data on the collection and trade of keera jadi which is lacking at
present.
65

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RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRENGTHENING SOCIO-ECONOMIC

October 2019 Dr. Sharad Singh Negi

Chapter II: Block-wise Socio-Economic Data, Analysis and Trends 8

Chapter III: Status of Migration 27

Chapter IV: Current Rural Socio-Economic Development Programs 38

Chapter V: Analysis and Recommendations 54

1.1 District Profile

Figure 1, Source: https://pithoragarh.nic.in/map-of-district/

1.4 Administrative Set-up

Table 1.1: Administrative Set-up

1.5 Urban Centres

1.7 Process and Methodology

 Department of Economics & Statistics, Uttarakhand

BLOCK-WISE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA, ANALYSIS

Population: District Pithoragarh

Figure 1, Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Figure 2, Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Table 2.1: District’s Population Distribution

Age-wise Population Distribution

Total Rural Urban

Figure 3, Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Main Occupation (District Average)

Labour Agriculture Horticulture Dairy Govt. Service Other

Figure 4, Source: Uttarakahand Migration Commission Report, 2018

2.3. Education and Literacy

Literacy Rate- Pithoragarh

Male Female Total

Figure 5, Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Table 2.2: Block wise Educational Institutes in Pithoragarh

Table 2.3: Block wise Training Institutes in Pithoragarh

Table 2.5: Gross District Domestic Product (at Current Prices)

GDDP (at Currenty Prices)

400000 361053 15.00%

Pithoragarh DDP Growth %

Figure 6, Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Table 2.6: Monthly Income of a Rural Family (%)

Source: Economic Survey 2018

Year/ Mandua Total Total

Table 2.9: Production and Productivity of Major Crops

Table 2.10: No. of Land-Holdings in the District

Table 2.11: Horticulture Infrastructure in the District

Source: DES, Pithoragarh

Table 2.13: Livestock Population in the District

i. Mahakali Temple-Block Gangolihat is at a distance of 77 Km. from Pithoragarh. It is rich

c. Kandali festival- Kandali (Strobilentheswallichii)-Blooms once every 12 years and next in

d. Hilljatra- A festival of pastoralists and agriculturist hilljatra came to Pithoragarh valley

Table 2.14: No. of Homestays in Pithoragarh

Table 2.15: Tourism Facilities in the District

Table 2.16: Industrial Units in Pithoragarh

Table2.17: Industrial Units in Pithoragarh

Registered Industries Small Industrial Units Khadi GramUdhyog Units

Table2.18: Data on MSME, Pithoragarh

Table 2.19: List of Minerals available in Pithoragarh

Source: District Skill Gap for the State of Uttarakhand, NSDC

4.12. Employment and Skill Development

Table 2.20: Estimated Workforce Distribution in Pithoragarh

 Ministry of MSME, Government of India

 www.pithoragarh.nic.in; Official website of District Pithoragarh

 District Statistical Magazine 2018, Department of Economics & Statistics (DES),