Best Practices

Book Village Panijhora

“Little drops of water make the mighty ocean”. The first droplets have been gathered at Panijhora of Alipurduar by Aponkotha, a local NGO, and they hope that a groundswell of droplets transforms into an ocean of passion for reading books and literature among the students and youth of Alipuarduar.

Panijhora, a small hamlet of just 72 families, comprised of different ethnic tribes like Garo, Rava, Mech, Oraon, Dukpa, Munda, Kharia and Rajbanshi, and a total population of 320 persons was chosen due to the wholehearted enthusiasm of all the residents towards the project. The Book Village concept envisages a hamlet where all residents are made functionally literate and have access to books through mini home libraries connected to a central library having more than 2000 books. The books in the libraries are rich in local information, history and subject related to their livelihood. comics for kids, books for Competitive Exams, Age old stories and so on. There are also provisions for people to visit the village and read books on the banks of the stream flowing besides the village

Thus, the project takes a holistic approach to the overall development of this picturesque hamlet, near the historic and tourist spot of Rajabhatkhawa, by striving for 100 % literacy, mainstreaming of drop out students, plastic pollution free and tourism attracting Model Village, such that this endeavour transforms this hamlet into a tourist spot and generates self-employment for the local people.

Aponkatha approached the District Magistrate with their proposal and seeing the uniqueness and utility of the idea, the project was taken up under District Mineral Foundation (PMKKY) and executed through PBSSM (Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission). However, it is to be mentioned here that without the wholehearted enthusiasm and hard work of the local people and the members of Aponkatha, this project would not have seen the light of day.

The Book Village was formally inaugurated by the District Magistrate, Smt R. Vimala, IAS, on 31st August 2024 in a colourful and varied programme at the village. This inspirational forest village had set on example and all are welcome to Panijhara to see & read the good collection of books kept here.

PALKI AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR BUXADUAR UNDER KALCHINI BLOCK

The Palki Ambulance service is initiated to transport pregnant women and persons in need of facility based emergency and other Medical care, including, Institutional delivery and other general health, from the terrain of the Buxa Dooars to the nearest Govt. Hospital . With informative materials on protection of girl child, institutional delivery and other SRH issues.

Palki Ambulance” has made a positive impact on pregnant women and the local populace. A quality ambulance system to the hilly region was a crying need for many years. The providers operate “Palki Ambulance” for twenty four hours per day, seven days a week, providing a Basic Life Support (BLS) medical care. Additionally there are many value added benefits including education, extrication, high angle rescue and stand-by services.It is the goal of Palki Ambulance to first meet the emergency ambulance needs of the residents in the Region and second provide ambulance transportation for local hospitals.

JALADHARINI DOOARS

“JALADHARINI DOOARS” is an initiative to conserve water by way of rejuvenating/ excavating of the moribund and derelict water bodies. Rejuvenation of these water bodies will naturally increase the potentiality of agricultural, horticultural as well as Pisci- culture productivity and will also meet up the demand of water scarcity during dry season.

Till date i.e. 05.09.2022, a total of 235 nos. of water bodies has been rejuvenated/ excavated and has generated 2,34,649 nos. of man days and also has benefitted the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA beneficiaries by providing them un-skilled employment. A total of 6,06,554 man days will be generated on completion of all the schemes.

DOOARS HONEY

An initiative taken by District Administration, Alipurduar for creation of alternate livelihood for tribals and Forest dwellers, and those living on the fringes of Buxa Tiger Reserve & Jaldapara National Park .

Bee keeping also, helps is preventing Human-Animal conflict by keeping the elephants away from entering the human habitations. It has been inaugurated by HCM on 08/06/2022, the very first bottle of the honey produce was gifted to HCM.

At present, around 1000 families are engaged with it, with an estimated produce of 10,000kg of annual produce, in the District. The bottling & sale is being done by a registered farmer co-operative, ‘Dooars honey Alipurduar district co-operative society Ltd.