Himachal Spends Over ₹3,000 Crore to Accelerate Development in Tribal Areas

More than 35,000 tribal families have directly benefited from the initiative

The Himachal Pradesh government has invested over ₹3,000 crore in the past two and a half years to accelerate development in the state’s tribal regions. A government spokesperson said the initiative has directly benefited more than 35,000 tribal families through improved infrastructure, access to education and healthcare, livelihood-generation programs, and enhanced social services.

“New roads, bridges, residential schools, healthcare facilities, and community-based initiatives are steadily transforming the socio-economic landscape,” the spokesperson added.

The Tribal Area Development Program has been implemented with budgetary allocations of ₹855 crore for 2022–23, ₹857.14 crore for 2023–24, ₹890.28 crore for 2024–25, and a proposed ₹638.73 crore for 2025–26. For major civil works—including roads, bridges, transport infrastructure, and public buildings—allocations include ₹290.58 crore in 2022–23, ₹287.99 crore in 2023–24, ₹62.92 crore in 2024–25, and ₹125.06 crore proposed for 2025–26.

Acknowledging the challenges of service delivery in high-altitude and sparsely populated areas, the government has strengthened basic public services in remote settlements. “Health sub-centres have been upgraded, mobile outreach and referral units established, and water and power supplies made more reliable,” the spokesperson said. “Support for livelihoods through horticulture, animal husbandry, and value addition to local produce has helped stabilize the income of tribal households.”

Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, 75 frontier settlements in Kinnaur, Pooh, and Spiti have been mapped, with development plans drawn up to improve infrastructure, social services, and economic opportunities in border areas. “Work has already begun on improving connectivity, housing, and community assets in these villages,” the official noted.

Education remains another key priority. Four Eklavya Model Residential Schools—located in Nichar, Bharmour, Pangi, and Lahaul—currently host 1,008 students, with 150 new admissions each year at the Class 6 level.

To ensure the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), intensive training has been provided to officials and community representatives in tribal districts. As of June 2025, authorities had issued 901 land titles, including 755 individual and 146 community leases.

“In April 2025, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the FRA implementation calendar to ensure uniform and time-bound settlement of pending claims,” the spokesperson said. “The government has also completed land transfer, statutory clearances, and the detailed project report (DPR) for a permanent Tribal Research and Training Institute, being established at a cost of ₹40.29 crore, which will advance research, capacity-building, and evidence-based policymaking for tribal development.”