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Bageshwar: In the peaceful hills of Bageshwar district, Chauni village now stands silent. Once home to over 300 people, the village has turned into a ghost village—a place where houses remain, but people are gone.
This is not a new story in Uttarakhand. Over the years, many villages in the state’s hilly regions have seen a steady migration of families. The reasons are many—lack of jobs, poor roads, no schools or hospitals, and limited access to basic services. People, especially the youth, are moving to cities in search of better opportunities.
All the people moved to nearby towns or cities
Chauni is the latest example. Located in Kapkot block, the village had 65 families. Today, only a few elderly people remain. The rest have moved to nearby towns or cities like Haldwani, Almora, and Dehradun. Some have even gone to Delhi and other metro cities.
The village now has locked homes, broken walls, and empty courtyards. The local school has no students. The temple bells no longer ring. Fields once full of crops are now covered in weeds.
Over 17,00 villages are declared ‘Ghost Villages’ in Uttarakhand
According to reports, over 1,700 villages in Uttarakhand have become completely or partially deserted. These are now called “ghost villages”. The state government has tried to stop this trend by promoting rural tourism, homestays, and local businesses, but the results have been slow.
Locals say that unless there are good roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs, people will continue to leave. “We love our village, but we had no choice,” said a former resident of Chauni. “There was no future for our children here.”
Some villages have seen success through eco-tourism and organic farming
Experts believe that planned development is the only way to save these villages. If basic services and small industries are brought to the hills, people may return. Some villages have seen success through eco-tourism and organic farming, but more support is needed. The story of Chauni is a reminder of the challenges faced by hill communities. It also shows the need for strong policies and local support to keep these beautiful villages alive.
