Dehradun: World Bank Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer Pascal Donohoe, along with a delegation, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan at the Secretariat on Thursday. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on key issues related to the comprehensive and long-term development of Uttarakhand.
The meeting focused on subjects including the Uttarakhand@2047 development strategy, urbanization, climate change, water management, and disaster management. The Chief Secretary said that the state is working with a long-term vision to make Uttarakhand a strong, prosperous, sustainable, and disaster-resilient state by 2047.
The Chief Secretary briefed the delegation on efforts being undertaken in every district for the rejuvenation of rivers and conservation of water sources and requested financial and technical assistance from the World Bank in these areas. He also placed special emphasis on promoting rainwater conservation and rainwater harvesting.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan said that efforts are being made to control migration by increasing employment and livelihood opportunities at the local level and to encourage reverse migration wherever appropriate. The meeting also explored possibilities for World Bank support in the livelihood sector, along with improvements in education and technical education.
Pascal Donohoe, meanwhile, discussed the possibilities of future cooperation through strategic and important projects after gaining an understanding of Uttarakhand’s development priorities. The World Bank expressed its commitment to providing long-term cooperation and technical assistance for the development of Uttarakhand.
