Alipurduar District has initiated several programs for the benefit of the public. Some of the district’s Best Practices are explained below.
Book Village Panijhora
A significant step towards promoting literacy and a love for reading has begun in the small village of Panijhora, Alipurduar. It has been following the idea of “small drops of water come together to form a mighty ocean”. A local NGO named Aponkotha has launched an initiative to cultivate a culture of reading among students and young individuals. This ambitious project, known as the Book Village, aims to widespread awareness and education.
Panijhora, a tiny village with just 320 residents from diverse ethnic backgrounds, was chosen for its enthusiastic community. The village is eager to embrace the transformative power of books. The initiative revolves around setting up small home libraries connected to a central library housing more than 2000 books. The books are on topics such as local history, children’s comics, competitive exams, and folk tales. Visitors can also enjoy reading in the serene environment by the gentle stream flowing beside the hamlet.
Beyond literacy, the project predicts Panijhora as a model village, aiming for 100% literacy, reintegrating school dropouts, maintaining a plastic-free environment, and attracting tourism for local economic growth. Aponkotha’s proposal received approval from the District Magistrate under the District Mineral Foundation (PMKKY) and was implemented through the Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission (PBSSM).
However, the real driving force behind the project’s success was the dedication of both the villagers and Aponkotha’s members. The Book Village was officially inaugurated on 31 AUG 2024, by District Magistrate Smt. R. Vimala, IAS, marking a new chapter in the village’s history. Now standing as a beacon of knowledge and progress, Panijhora invites visitors to experience firsthand the transformative power of education and community-driven change.
Palki Ambulance Service for Buxaduar
The Palki Ambulance Service was launched to provide essential healthcare transportation for pregnant women and individuals requiring emergency medical care. Operating in the hilly regions of Buxa Dooars, this service ensures that patients can reach the nearest government hospital without delay.
Equipped with Basic Life Support medical care, the ambulance operates 24/7 and offers additional benefits such as health education, high-angle rescue services, and standby medical assistance. The initiative has been a game-changer, addressing a long-standing need for reliable ambulance services in remote areas.
Jaladharini Dooars: Reviving Water Bodies
Water conservation is at the heart of the Jaladharini Dooars initiative. This project focuses on restoring and excavating neglected water bodies to enhance agricultural, horticultural, and fishery activities.
Since its inception, 235 water bodies have been rejuvenated, generating 234649 employment days under the MGNREGA. The initiative has provided significant benefits to local communities by offering sustainable livelihoods and mitigating water scarcity during dry seasons.
BiswakarmaJhora: A Bio-Diversity Park in the Making
The BiswakarmaJhora restoration project aims to transform the neglected water body into a thriving biodiversity park. Supported by the Environment Department, the project has an estimated cost of Rs. 26,98,074 and has already created employment opportunities for residents.
Now known as Padma Pukur, the rejuvenated pond attracts various bird species, including cormorants, lesser whistling ducks, and river lapwings. With blooming flowers surrounding the pond, the area has become a scenic retreat, blending conservation efforts with tourism potential.
Dooars Honey: A Sustainable Livelihood Initiative
The District Administration of Alipurduar has introduced the Dooars Honey initiative to support tribal and forest-dwelling communities living near the Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara National Park. By promoting beekeeping, the initiative not only creates alternative livelihoods but also helps reduce human-animal conflicts by discouraging elephants from entering human settlements.
Launched on June 8, 2022, the first bottle of locally produced honey was presented to the Hon’ble Chief Minister. Today, around 1,000 families are engaged in beekeeping, collectively producing approximately 10,000 kg of honey annually. The honey is bottled and marketed by the registered farmer cooperative, ‘Dooars Honey Alipurduar District Co-operative Society Ltd.’