ACF functions as the MNGO and DARC for Hardwar district and conducts training for ASHAs and ASHA facilitators. The Uttarakhand Health and Family Welfare Society (UKHFWS) have selected ACF-Roorkee as a partner NGO to implement the ARSH-UDDAN programme in two blocks of Hardwar district. The programme aims to increase access to health information amongst adolescents. They are provided with life skills and taught about anemia and improved hygiene practices.
ACF’s 14 sakhis work in seven villages around Roorkee and provide support during immunization camps, institutional deliveries, pulse polio rounds, general health camps and sanitation drives. They also conduct khelwadis for young children, imparting information on health and hygiene. They work closely with the community to promote toilet construction and sanitation in villages. ACF raises awareness about the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) in Haridwar district. Health camps are organised and village meetings conducted by the ASHA facilitators to promote this government-run insurance scheme.
Women’s Empowerment
54 self-help groups (SHGs) comprising 599 village women has been established in the Bhagwanpur region. The SHGs are involved in various income-generating activities like selling cosmetics, bangles, groceries and spices.
Supporting Education
ACF runs NFE-cum-skill building centres in nine villages, reaching out to 205 adolescent girls. These centres have been able to promote basic reading and writing knowledge along with skills like embroidery, mehandi design, craft, cutting and tailoring. Forty-eight students from these classes appeared for the standard VIII examination; another 68 students will appear for the standard V exam in the next academic year. Sports kits have been provided to the schools situated in the project area.
When ACF decided to start a non-formal education (NFE) centre for the young girls in the area, it was a great opportunity for out-of-school girls in the area. The girls could attend classes for a shorter duration, which gave them scope to juggle studies and their household chores. ACF also motivated educated women in the community to come forward and teach young girls at the NFE centre.
Government facilities
Many government facilities are available under the policy of the state government but the benefit of the policy is not easily reaching to the villagers. Subsidies are not timely paid by the government and very less amount of subsidies is paid by the government to the villagers.
The compensation amount of the hazard or loss by the heavy rain is also paid in a very less amount by the department to the villagers who are living in row houses (kacche makan). Compensation of loss in agriculture area is also not timely paid by the government. Villagers are facing many problems to compensate their losses. Schools are also run by the government in villages of Roorkee up to class 10 and 12.
Risk Reduction Agendas in Uttarakhand
- That the governments at the central and state level retreat to a low carbon pathway of development that has equity, decent employment, and sustainability at its core.
- That the planning and construction of dams in the entire Indian Himalayas be reviewed, and that all construction be halted until such a review is carried out.
- That the use of explosives in all such infrastructure development works is completely stopped.
- That, given the likelihood of extreme rainfall events and other climate extremes in the future, extensive and sub-regional warning systems is put in place urgently across all the Himalayan states, the coastal areas and beyond.
- That a proper assessment of the carrying capacity of specific ecosystems is carried out.
- That the stretch from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi be declared an eco-sensitive zone without further delay.
- That a river regulation zone be enforced such that no permanent structures are allowed to be constructed within 100 meters of any river.
- That the residents and their organizations are thoroughly consulted in a democratic plan on climate change, in the revival of the local hill economy, and the generation of decent employment.
- That all working people be compensated for the loss of life and livelihood, and that urgent plans are put in place for the revival of local livelihoods and agriculture.
- That the central government learns from the Uttarakhand catastrophe and put in place prior adaptation measures not just for the mountainous regions but beyond, the coastal and the drought-prone interiors as well.
The above ten points throw light on key areas that must be discussed and debated by the citizens of Uttarakhand to plan their own recovery as well as shape ongoing development.