Sikkim Launches ‘Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ to Drive Tribal Development

The Government of Sikkim officially launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan today — an ambitious programme aimed at accelerating the socio-economic development of tribal communities in the state. The launch took place during the Golden Jubilee High-Altitude International Marathon medal felicitation ceremony at Ridge Park, Gangtok.

The initiative was inaugurated by Minister for Social Welfare, Women, Child, Senior Citizen & Divyangjan Welfare, and Printing & Stationery Departments, Mr Samdup Lepcha. It will be implemented under the Tribal Affairs Division of the Social Welfare Department, in alignment with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Government of India.

The Dharti Aaba Abhiyan builds upon the achievements of the PM-JANMAN scheme and is designed to close critical developmental gaps in tribal villages. By bringing together efforts from multiple central ministries and targeted interventions, the programme aims to provide safe housing, drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, education, nutrition, electricity, road and telecom connectivity. It also promotes sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and skill development for tribal youth.

The launch of this initiative marks an important milestone in Sikkim’s mission to foster inclusive growth and improve the quality of life in tribal areas.

The event was attended by MLA Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, MLA Tenzing Norbu Lamtha, Secretary of Social Welfare Department Sarika Pradhan, Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs Department Yangchen D Tamang, along with senior officials.