Uttarakhand: In the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Government of Uttarakhand signed a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Thursday at the Chief Minister’s residence. The agreement was also attended by Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat and Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna.
The MoU marks the first phase of the Healthy Border Campaign, aiming to provide integrated primary healthcare services to residents of 108 border villages in the districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi.
Key Objectives of the MoU
- Provide primary healthcare and telemedicine facilities to remote border villages.
- Deploy qualified doctors and paramedical staff via ITBP.
- Regular mobile visits to villages with MI Rooms and medical equipment.
- Maintain beneficiaries’ medical records and ensure availability of medicines and consumables.
- Ensure emergency evacuation and communication support in critical situations.
Under the agreement:
- ITBP headquarters, Northern Frontier, Dehradun, acts as the First Party.
- Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Uttarakhand, acts as the Second Party.
- The state will provide demographic data and initial medical equipment, with a continuous supply of medicines every six months.
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Promotion of Local Produce and Livelihoods
Alongside healthcare, the MoU includes measures to procure local agricultural and dairy products to boost rural livelihoods:
- Procurement of live sheep/goats, live poultry, Himalayan trout, fresh milk, paneer, and other local products through cooperatives.
- Total procurement under previous MoUs:
- Approx. 3,79,650 kg of livestock/fish products
- Approx. 3,25,318 litres of dairy products
- Total value exceeding ₹11.94 crore
- Approx. 3,79,650 kg of livestock/fish products
Proposed Procurement for 2026:
- Live sheep/goats: 4,00,000 kg (~₹13 crore)
- Live poultry: 2,50,000 kg (~₹4 crore)
- Himalayan trout: 82,000 kg (~₹3.9 crore)
- Paneer: 21,302 kg (~₹0.79 crore)
- Fresh milk: 4,73,532 litres (~₹3.3 crore)
- TPS: 1,40,018 litres (~₹1.5 crore)
- Vegetables: 9,85,391 kg (~₹2.77 crore)
- Fruits: 6,20,228 kg (~₹3.5 crore)
The overall procurement value is projected to reach ₹32.76 crore, ensuring direct benefits to local farmers and producers by reducing intermediaries.
Enhanced Connectivity and Emergency Support
- Future agreements will allow the use of UCADA helicopter services for rapid mobility in remote areas.
- Helipad operations with the Uttarakhand Tourism Department have already seen 221 successful helicopter landings, improving connectivity and supply chains.
Chief Minister’s Remarks
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said:
“The Healthy Border Campaign is an effective initiative to improve the quality of life in border areas. It will strengthen healthcare, promote livelihoods, and enhance stability in frontier regions. This MoU is a significant step toward holistic development of our border villages.”
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to making border areas self-reliant, secure, and connected while improving access to essential services.
About the Initiative
The Healthy Border Campaign is a multi-dimensional project targeting 108 border villages in the first phase, focusing on healthcare, livestock welfare, agricultural support, and improved connectivity. The program integrates government support, ITBP resources, and local procurement mechanisms to benefit remote communities while promoting national security and rural development.
