Disaster affected villagers seek rehabilitation in Pithoragarh
Disaster affected villagers seek rehabilitation in Pithoragarh
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Feb 26
Villagers of Chalma Chilaso, the disaster affected village of Chaudans valley in Dharchula sub-division of Pithoragarh district, today reached Dharchula sub divisional headquarters demanding resettlement of over 52 families from disaster hit area to safe places before this year’s monsoon.
“We have all reached here travelling 60 km on foot from our village to sub-division headquarter, demanding resettlement of remaining 52 families as 84 families out of a total 136 families of this highly disaster hit village,” said Pooja Verma, Gram Pradhan of the village.
According to Gram Pradhan and leader of the protest Pooja Verma, more than 100 protesting villagers took shelter in temporary tin sheds, constructed by NHPC at Nigalpani, last night. “Some of our elderly protesters went sick and given medical help,” said Basu Devi, BDC member from the village.
Dharchula SDM, Ashish Joshi, has assured the delegation that in 15 days’ time from today, the decision on resettlement of remaining families could be cleared as the issue is stuck with the report of geologist. ” Geological survey of safe place for resettlement of all remaining 52 families was taken in December 2025. The report is yet to come, after the release of the report, the process of resettlement of remaining families will be started,” said the SDM.
“We have taken survey of safe place to settle the villagers before this monsoon, after getting geologist’s report, probably in March this year. We will issue land plots and first instalment for construction of houses to remaining villagers,” said Bhupendra Singh Maharaj, District Disaster Management Officer of Pithoragarh.
