How has the ‘Integrated Tribal Development Project’ helped in the development of Bharmaur Region? Explain with five examples.

This area development plan was aimed at improving the quality of life of the Gaddis and narrowing the gap in the level of development between Bharmaur and other areas of Himachal Pradesh.

(i) This plan laid the highest priority on development of transport and communications, agriculture and allied activities, and social and community services.

(ii) The most significant contribution of tribal sub plan in Bharmaur region is the development of infrastructure in terms of schools, health care facilities, potable water, roads, communications and electricity.

(iii) The social benefits derived from ITDP include tremendous increase in literacy rate, improvement in sex ratio and decline in child marriage.

(iv) The female literacy rate in the region increased from 1.88 per cent in 1971 to 65 per cent in 2011. The difference between males and females in literacy level i.e. gender inequality, has also declined.

(v) Traditionally, the Gaddis had subsistence agricultural-cum-pastoral economy having emphasis on foodgrains and livestock production. But during the last three decades of twentieth century, the cultivation of pulses and other cash crops has increased in Bharmaur region.