Continuing with need to consolidate farm lands, I like to suggest the consolidation of small villages.
It is very difficult to provide basic facilities like health, education in small villages with habitations below 1000. Though we can provide some facilities through Govt. subsidy, we must think of sustainable model, which is economically feasible. It is very difficult for people to leave their parental place, but we have seen migration for the purpose of job. I think, we can give a thought on the subject.
We can select some villages with population above 2000 near the National or State Highway. These villages be provided with at least a school, a primary health centre, a bus stop (frequency of buses should not be more than a hour, as they already have highway connectivity). Residential appartments should be built under Indira Awaas Yojana, which should be offered free for those migrating permanently from nearby small villages. When the need for residential accomodation not much away from their cultivable land is fulfilled, migration may be acceptable. This will help them in visiting their workplace in towns and cities. Good road connectivity will also help attract teachers and healthcare professional to visit the village. The land freed from homes in small villages should be utilised for rain-water harvesting by digging ponds and planting neem and peepal trees. Apart from rain-water harvesting, Neem trees will reduce the need for pesticides in farming and Peepal trees will provide extra oxygen needed in the atmosphere.
This is a big call for our planners, but deserves a look.
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