The Uttarakhand government will hold a series of panchayat meetings for non-resident natives of the state to encourage them to return to their homes, as part of a push to promote reverse migration in the hill regions.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to intensify efforts to curb large-scale migration from the hills, calling it one of the state’s major challenges.
Addressing senior officials while chairing a meeting of the State Rural Development and Migration Prevention Commission on Friday, the Chief Minister said that migration has long been a serious concern for Uttarakhand and requires sustained and innovative efforts to reverse. He noted that although several steps have already been taken, more needs to be done.
Dhami instructed officials to organise Pravasi Panchayats across the state for migrants working elsewhere in India and abroad. He asked them to inform these migrants about the government’s initiatives on reverse migration and to seek their feedback and suggestions.
He further directed members of the Commission to visit other states to apprise Uttarakhand natives about the work undertaken to encourage their return.
The Chief Minister also urged officials to explore new strategies and measures to prevent migration and promote reverse migration among those who have left the state.
He instructed that 25 new tourist locations should be developed as wedding destinations—on the lines of Triyuginarayan in Rudraprayag—with a focus on ensuring all basic facilities.
Speaking at the meeting, Commission Vice Chairman SS Negi said that a positive trend of reverse migration is being observed in rural areas.
According to him, around 6,282 people have returned to their villages following the state’s initiatives. Members of the Commission also shared creative suggestions to further strengthen momentum toward reverse migration.