Nainital, June 4, 2026: In a push to advance the Chief Minister’s “Vocal for Local” and Atmanirbhar Uttarakhand visions and curb outmigration, a new rural development initiative named “Gram Vihar” was launched today in Chopra village, Nainital, with technical and financial support from NABARD.
The project aims to strengthen local economies through livelihood generation, skill development, and improved rural infrastructure, making Chopra a model for sustainable village revival and a replicable template for other hill communities.
What Gram Vihar will do
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Local enterprise promotion: Support for micro‑enterprises and value addition of local products to increase income for farmers and artisans.
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Skill development: Vocational training programs tailored to youth and women in areas such as eco‑tourism services, handicrafts, food processing and sustainable agriculture.
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Infrastructure upgrades: Improvements to village commons, water conservation structures, and common facility centres to support small businesses.
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Market linkages: Assistance to connect producers with regional markets and e‑commerce platforms under the Chief Minister’s “Vocal for Local” push.
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Social inclusion: Special focus on women’s self‑help groups and schemes to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce seasonal migration.
Officials’ statements
A state government representative said the Gram Vihar project aligns with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s goals of self‑reliant Uttarakhand and stemming rural exodus by creating local income opportunities. “Our aim is to give villagers the tools and markets they need to prosper at home rather than seeking livelihoods elsewhere,” the official said.
A NABARD spokesperson described the collaboration as a public‑private partnership model that combines financial assistance, technical guidance and capacity building to make rural enterprises viable and resilient in hill environments.
Why it matters
Uttarakhand’s hilly terrain has long faced challenges of limited local employment and seasonal outmigration. By focusing on localized value chains, skill upgrading and market access, Gram Vihar seeks to create durable livelihoods that keep youth and families rooted in their communities while conserving local resources.
Next steps and monitoring
The project will roll out a phased implementation plan beginning with capacity building and infrastructure works in Chopra, followed by enterprise incubation and market integration. District officials and NABARD will conduct regular reviews and community consultations to measure impact and plan scale up across other villages in the district.
