Hills lack basic amenities for the residents

UTTARAKHAND ELECTIONS 2007

Amitabh Shukla

Dhanolti (Uttarakhand), February 7

The picturesque area in the hills of Garhwal has everything what a nature lover can ask for – snow peaked mountains in the distance, apple orchards, dense pine forests and solitude. What it hasn't got is basic amenities for people who actually live in the place and the nearby villages.

If one unfortunately falls sick, he has to be taken all the way to Chamba for treatment. The primary health center works without any doctor. For the children, life is all the more tough and going to school is a daily grind. The school here is only till Class VIII and for further studies, the students have to trek 5-6 kms in the hill terrain.

"Life is a continuous struggle here," says V.S. Gusain who runs a small eatery in the not so prosperous part of Dhanolti. "See the indifference of the government. We have electric poles installed but no power," said Gusain, pointing towards the poles which were erected six months ago. Then, he has to go down the hill to fetch water. "I have a buffalo which drinks a 30 litres of water in a day. Then the needs of water for the hotel. Why can't they have something for water here?" asks the person, battling the day-to-day problems even in one of the most scenic spots in Garhwal Himalayas.

P.S. Rawat, working in the state horticulture department, is sipping tea. "The nature has blessed has, the government has forgotten us," he says tersely. Ironically, the prosperous part of Dhanolti has a state government run hotel, other tourist lodges along with water and power supply.

Local MLA Koldas of the Congress, contesting again, promises to solve the problems if voted to power. He promised his voters to make the place another tourist paradise which would generate plenty of employment for the locals. For water and power in the area, he says work is on and it is a matter of time before things are set right.

"Dhanolti would not forgive those who make false promises. People might be simple hill folks here but aware of their rights," said Awadhes Singh, a teacher. (2007)