1. “Vocal for Local” on Char Dham Yatra Routes
- Project: Establishment of 42 outlets along the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham pilgrimage routes, strategically managed by local women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Impact: This initiative has directly empowered approximately 242 women from 42 SHGs, turning them into entrepreneurs. They sell a range of local products, including fragrant incense, prasad, organic mushrooms, local spices, and handicrafts.
- Enhanced Pilgrim Experience: Beyond sales, these outlets have become vital service hubs for pilgrims. They offer clean drinking water, tourist information, cloakroom facilities, and rental services for items like walking sticks and raincoats, enriching the overall pilgrimage experience.
2. Holistic Tourism & Women’s Trekking Company
- Location: Bhatwari Development Block.
- Project: Formation of a pioneering Women’s Trek Adventure Company by rural women, supported by the Maa Ganga Cooperative. The initiative integrates tourism with local agriculture, horticulture, and cultural activities.
- Skill Development: 22 women received rigorous training in Yoga, Meditation, Pranayam, Trekking, Guiding, Cooking, and Camping.
- Impact & Employment: The initiative has created direct employment for these trained women, with 4 working as NIM-trained guides, 4 as cooks, and 12 as porters. It has improved the well-being of villagers and promoted ecological sustainability.
- Financials: 106 households have directly benefited from funding of ₹24 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Border Area Development Project (CMBADP).
3. Dairy Value Chain Development
- Location: Dharkot Naypanchayat of Chinyalisaur Block.
- Project: A comprehensive dairy value chain was developed through the convergence of various schemes (USRLM, REAP, MGNREGA, Himotthan). This included establishing backward linkages like 60 cattle sheds (MGNREGA) and forward linkages like 8 milk collection centers, a milk van, and a modern dairy outlet in the main market.
- Impact: The project provides stable market access for 540 households from 14 villages. It has directly facilitated milk marketing for 23 women and created consistent monthly employment for 8 women.
- Economic Scale: The total turnover from milk collected and marketed through the Cluster Level Federation (CLF) has reached an impressive ₹2.15 crore to date.
