130 model villages proposed in areas along the eastern border

Subject: Schemes

Concept:

Commanding in Chief Eastern Command, on Friday said that there is a proposal of developing 130 villages in the Eastern Theatre as model villages in areas along the border.
He said the initiative of model villages was announced in the last year’s Union Budget and it is an ongoing process aimed to ensure that there is no migration from border villages in search of livelihood.

About Vibrant Villages Programme

It was announced in the Budget Speech 2022.
The programme envisages coverage of border villages on the Northern border having sparse populations, limited connectivity and infrastructure, which often get left out from the development gains.
It should be used by all border-guarding forces to encourage tourism in border villages, to make them self-reliant and vibrant.
This objective will be met by strengthening infrastructure across villages located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It seeks to prevent migration.

Significance of the programme

The announcement to launch Vibrant Villages Programme is significant in light of increasing China’s presence along the Himalayan frontier with India.
China is actively constructing dual-use infrastructure. It has sparked concerns among government, strategic circles and security forces, and strategic circles.
China has undertaken large-scale construction since 2017, along the border. It is building border villages in Tibet in a bid to strengthen their presence along the frontier.

China’s model villages

China has developed model villages across border areas of Bhutan and Nepal along with India in recent years.
India’s Vibrant Villages Programme is being considered as a response to China’s model villages.