Sillary village near Pedong, Kalimpong to be transformed into a Tourism Model Village

Kalimpong|Mukesh Sharma: The Sillary village located near Pedong, Kalimpong was once declared as the poorest village of the Asian Continent. The heavy hailstones of May 05, this year has affected the agriculture and properties of this village at large. The pleas of the villagers regarding the same have fallen into deaf years. Only the Kalimpong, Krishan Kalyan Sangathan (KKS) through the Sillary Krishak Sangh reciprocating to the pleas has distributed 10 bundles of tin sheets to 12 families. The beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude towards the Sangh who distributed the tin sheets in the presence of KKS General Secretary, Bishnu Chettri.The Panchayat and Block of this area too have declared it as the backward village but till date no beneficial schemes have been introduced here. The residents here are totally unaware of Governmental schemes. However, in the name of development, the construction of road has started this year under the NREGA Scheme. The village also faces issues pertaining to water shortage, electricity supply and health centre. The children of the village being deprived of proper education in the area are compelled to go to Pedong located 4kms away for their basic education.80% of the village population is tribal who fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. Earlier, the villagers were into cardamom farming but all the plants withered and the farming got hampered, the villagers took up Chirata (medicinal plant) farming.Therefore, looking at the deteriorating condition of the village, the KKS has planned to initiate Home Stays in order to develop the village. The Sillary Krishak Sangh, Chief Convener, Biru Tamang informed that they will be working in coordination with the NABARD to make Sillary a Tourism Model Village in the coming days.