Question.
What are the social benefits of ITDP in the Bharmaur tribal region?
(NCERT class 12 geography, India People and Economy, Chapter-9: Planning and Sustainable Development in the Indian Context)
Answer.
ITDP stands for Integrated Tribal Development Project which is a mixed plan of target area plan and target group plan.
In the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974–1978), the tribal sub-plan was introduced in the year 1974. Bharmour tribal area was notified as one of the five Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) in Himachal Pradesh. The objective of the scheme was to improve the quality of life of the "Gaddi" tribes and to bridge the gap between the level of development between the Bharmour tribal area and other parts of Himachal Pradesh.
About Bharmour tribal area;
- Bharmour tribal area is in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It includes Bharmour and Holi tehsils.
- The Bharmour tribal area is inhabited by the 'Gaddi' tribal community, which has a distinct identity as they follow transhumance ( they move to the valley during winter and move hills during summer ) and speak the "Gaddiali" dialect.
- The Gaddi was included in the 'Scheduled Tribes' in the 1970s.
- The region has harsh climatic conditions, a low resource base, and a brittle environment. According to the 2011 census, the population density of the region was about 21 persons per sq km.
- It is one of the most socially and economically backward regions of Himachal Pradesh.
- The economy of the region is largely dependent on agriculture and allied activities such as sheep and goat rearing.
- Ravi and Tundahen rivers are important rivers in Bharmour tribal area.
Social benefits of Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) in Bharmour tribal area;
Following are the social benefits of ITDP in the Bharmour tribal area;
- The literacy rate increased rapidly. The female literacy rate increased from 1.88 percent in 1971 to 65 percent in 2011.
- The gap between men and women has declined in literacy levels and gender inequality.
- The sex ratio improved.
- Child marriage has decreased.
- There has been a rapid increase in infrastructure in terms of the availability of roads, schools, and hospitals.
- Previously, the Gaddis had subsistence farming practices, but the cultivation of pulses and cash crops has increased over the past three decades.
- The importance of pastoralism has declined, as so far only 10% of the population is transhuman.
- Nevertheless, a large number of Gaddi tribes migrate to Kangra and surrounding areas during winters to earn their living by working as laborers.
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