Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday announced the formation of a Border Area Development Council aimed at strengthening essential services and facilities in the state’s frontier districts. The announcement came during the inauguration of the Fourth Border Mountain District Children’s Science Festival, held at Guptkashi in Rudraprayag district, organised by the Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology (UCOST).
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Minister said the new council would focus on the holistic development of border regions, addressing key sectors such as disaster management, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He said that these areas, being geographically sensitive and strategically important, require continuous innovation and attention.
Dhami announced that innovation and training centres would be set up in border districts to provide practical education and awareness in the fields of disaster management, health services, and education. These centres, he said, would empower residents with essential skills and preparedness to deal with emergencies and developmental challenges.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the science festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp and interacting with young scientists from various districts. He discussed vital issues such as climate change, natural resource management, disaster preparedness, science and technology, and renewable energy conservation. Dhami said that such platforms offer young talents from remote regions an opportunity to explore scientific thinking and innovation.
The Chief Minister noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is achieving remarkable progress in the areas of innovation, research, and self-reliance. He said the nation’s growing strength in science and technology is shaping the direction of “New India,” and Uttarakhand is determined to play its part in this journey of discovery and development.
Dhami mentioned that Dehradun will soon become the site of the country’s fifth Science City, terming it a significant achievement for a Himalayan state like Uttarakhand. He said that science and innovation are not limited to laboratories, but should also be harnessed to improve governance and ensure transparent service delivery. He added that most public services are now being provided online, reflecting the government’s commitment to efficiency and accountability.
During the event, the Chief Minister announced ₹50 lakh for development works at PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bansu Jakhdhar, and directed the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag to prepare a detailed plan for establishing a Disaster Management Centre in the district. He emphasised that such facilities will play a crucial role in building community resilience and disaster response capacity.
The Chief Minister honoured several distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to society and development. Among them were Padma Shri Kalyan Singh Rawat, social entrepreneur Indra Singh Rawat, and Dr. Patni of the Frontier Service Foundation. Dhami also released UCOST’s new publication, the Rudraprayag Dashboard, a GIS-based digital platform that consolidates departmental data and project information for easy access and monitoring.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of this year’s science festival was “Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Integration of Disaster Risk Management”, which seeks to encourage dialogue and solutions for sustainable development and environmental protection in mountain regions. Dhami said that Uttarakhand, being a hill state, faces unique challenges due to climate change and must focus on scientific innovation to mitigate its effects.
The programme was attended by several dignitaries, including MLA from Kedarnath Asha Nautiyal, District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Kathait, Vice President of Women and Child Development Aishwarya Rawat, BJP District President Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, UCOST Director General Prof. Durgesh Pant, District Magistrate Prateek Jain, Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde, Chief Development Officer Rajendra Singh Rawat, Additional District Magistrate Shyam Singh Rana, and Principal of PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Tilak Singh, along with several officials and community members.
Dhami concluded his address by reaffirming that the development of border districts remains one of the state government’s top priorities. He said that the establishment of the Border Area Development Council and innovation centres will bring lasting progress and security to Uttarakhand’s frontier communities, ensuring that science, technology, and governance work hand in hand for the state’s advancement.
