Sustainable Development
There are around 6,50,000 villages in India, but most of these villages have inadequate infrastructure and do not offer basic needs to villagers. As per various reports, villages have poor educational facilities, irregular potable water supply, improper sanitation and poor road connectivity. Most of the villagers are migrating to towns and cities in search of cash based employment opportunities.
International forums have had several discussions and debates on exploitation of natural resources and minimum exploitation and sustainable development. The United Nations identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and India is one of the signatory nations for the SDGs. With this background, COSA has undertaken the initiative to develop four villages in the Wada Block of Palgarh district, Thane as a model for sustainable development.
Sustainable Development Concept
Concept
The concept of sustainable development of villages brings out the holistic development , with increasing various agricultural outputs and providing basic amenities. Model villages can bring overall development, sustainable and affordable utilities, digital education, clean drinking water, sanitation and nutrition etc.
Approach
A Model village facility includes the following:
1. Entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture and animal husbandry
2. Improved education services
3. Health services
4. Focus on social welfare
5. Enhanced democratic engagement
6. Improved quality of life
7. Technology as a driver for holistic development.
Objectives
• Make the model village a ‘hub’ that attract resources.
• Provide easier, faster and cheaper access to urban markets for agricultural or other marketable commodities
• Contribute towards social empowerment .
• Create and sustain a culture of co-operative living for inclusive and rapid development. .
Key elements
A 21st century model village in India needs to incorporate certain key themes which would be essential for its success. The below stated points highlights broad thematic focus areas and mentions the important elements under each such theme.
A. Sustainability
➢ Better health – with special focus on maternal and child.
➢ Practical and smart education.
➢ Providing basic amenities, affordable utilities , nutrition…etc.
➢ Housing and livelihood projects.
➢ Capacity building of all stakeholders.
➢ Social empowerment and upliftment for all.
➢ Clean drinking water, sanitation, hygiene and health for all.
➢ Environmental sustainability.
➢ Improved quality of life.
B. Community involvement
➢ Planning and implementation of schemes.
➢ Mobilizing resources and their optimal uses.
➢ Monitoring utilization of government funds.
➢ Influencing personal and community behaviour.
C. Technology
➢ Providing government services and employment in rural areas.
➢ Information and communications (ICT) and space technology to aid farmers.
➢ Remote sensing for resource mapping.
➢ Modernization of land records.
➢ Biometrics for better services mapping (public distribution system (PDS), insurance, pension etc).
D. Connectivity
➢ Physical connectivity to towns and other places.
➢ Easy and cheap modes of transportation.
➢ Digital connectivity.
➢ Augmenting power connectivity through off-grid renewable sources.
➢ Financial connectivity.
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