The Young Child in Himachal Pradesh Richa Member

The Young Child in Himachal Pradesh Richa, Member Secretary JAN ABHIYAN SANSTHA FORCES: Plan of Action 201213

Himachal Pradesh: Introduction The state has a population of 6. 1 million, of which only 10 percent live in urban areas. The population density is 109 per square kilometers, compared to India’s 324. The rural peripheries in a few areas are gradually expanding as colonies for those displaced due to development projects. As also migrant colonies have emerged in urban areas where migrant labour from Nepal/Jharkhand/Bihar/Rajasthan live.

Himachal Pradesh: Advantages • Himachal is mainly an agricultural state and the labour participation rates of females in agriculture is higher than 40 %. Women enjoy a good status. • Himachal has made a revolution in primary education with 100% enrolment and education for the girl child has been made free in the state at all levels. • The enrolment of girls and SC/ST children has been high in the Government schools. However there is a growing tendency to admit boys in private schools. • Relative share of Government expenditure in medical and public health remained constant at around 6 per cent in Himachal Pradesh compared to Punjab and Haryana where it has been constantly declining

Disadvantages A. Development Induced Displacement in Himachal Pradesh • Development as it is happening is undermining the interdependence among communities (which constituted the basis for peaceful co-existence). It is increasing the penetration of market norms. • A number of hydro power projects and cement plants have come up or are being planned in the Sutlej, Beas and Yamuna basin. This in disregard of the fact that agricultural communities have been flourishing in these valleys over centuries. These river basins are also subject to frequent landslides which can dam flows in the river. Failure of the dams can be catastrophic, e. g. ; floods that occurred in 2005 in the Sutlej river basin. • Also many industrial areas have been planned in the state such as the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh area in solan district resulting in much loss of livelihoods. • In Himachal the social and economic effects of displacement will be severe. Children are discovering camp life, with all its difficulties. In many cases, families have been split up

Himachal Pradesh: Background • The situation with respect to Juvenile Sex -Ratio in Himachal Pradesh during the period 1971 to 2001 reveals a decreasing trend is observed not only in the sex-ratio but also in the rural/urban differentials. After 1971 census not even a single census, and district has shown the sexratio in favour of females.

Issues related to Anganwadi workers/ICDS Centres • Issues related to dignity – Appointment related issues • Infrastructure related problems • Remoteness related problems

Loss of Agricultural Diversity • Cropping patterns have changed much. In Kinnaur earlier buckwheat (ogla, phafra) was cultivated to a large extent, the main crops cultivated now are rajmah and apple. This reflects the trend towards commercialization of agriculture and a reduction in crop diversity. • Chilgoza and chuli forests in Kinnaur are either lost to hydro power projects or replaced by apple plantations. Apple has moved closer to heights where it was not possible earlier (Chitkul). As also Precipitation has been witnessed in the form of rain where it was always snow.

Case of Migrant Labour from Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan and Nepal • Migrant workers contracts vary from one to five years. The women and older children (14+ mostly) also work 78 hours every day, breaking stones and transferring material over short distances. There among women pregnant women and women with young children. • The women mostly give birth in the temporary migrant colony itself with help from other women. However they see private doctors or went to government hospitals later for themselves or the child. • They have to spend a lot of money earned from the migrant activity for their health care. Women stay away from work only when their young child is not keeping well. • Government officials show unwillingness and apathy saying it is the dispersal of migrant children across habitation that makes it difficult to provide education and health care for them.

Other Constraints in Himachal Pradesh • Teacher absenteeism in schools is high. • HP has achieved successfully near universal enrolment and retention, but there is a lot to be desired in terms of quality. • Part of the population living in remote areas as well as migrant labour’s children are still not getting/or being able to avail the benefits of the centrally aided scheme ICDS.

PLAN OF ACTION Advocacy with State Government • JAS (FORCES NGO partner/convenor in Himachal) will continue engaging with the State Government to improve rehabilitation for those displaced due to development projects so that the impact is lessened for children who are currently living in camps and new colonies. • JAS will be conducting advocacy to ensure that in fulfillment of the Supreme Court ruling Anganwadi services are provided to children of migrant labour and in colonies where the displaced live.

State and district level Consultations/Seminars • JAS proposes a state level consultation in Shimla and three district level consultations in Mandi, Kullu and Solan in the first year. • The participants will include representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs, CBOs, State government representatives, parents, etc.

ACTION PLAN • Meetings and advocacy with State Government Representatives, Networks, NGOs, CBOs, PRIs, community members about the impact of development projects and child issues in project affected areas. This will provide useful inputs for areas in proximity with Hydropower/Mining/Industrial Projects in Simla , Solan, Kullu districts regarding: v what the parents/villagers think of issues such as child health, nutrition, care, protection.

Contd. • people’s impressions/views regarding how anganwadi centres are operating in their area and to assess their willingness/need for anganwadis to be integrated with crèches • Situation of mothers in project area and rehabilitation colonies whether any health check ups are taking place • If no/no satisfactory anganwadi exists mobilizing people to demand Anganwadi services

Outcome • A document which will be a strong basis for lobbying with the government regarding overall rights of the young child and for getting incorporated issues of the young child in rehabilitation policies for atleast 2 project affected sites. • Atleast six project affected societies will be empowered to demand crèche services in anganwadi centres /or anganwadi on demand if it does not exist to ensure better overall services for children and mothers

Advocacy with the state government concerning the issues of children of migrant labour in construction sites in Shimla, Solan, Kullu • Dialogues with State Government and other Networks • Discussions with Contractors regarding providing space and funds for day care facilities for young children at the site • Discussions with parents of young children living in migrant labour sites to mobilize them to demand services

Outcome/Expected Impact • Atleast three construction sites will have efforts ongoing for setting up crèches • A Model crèche will be set up in a construction site

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