First Author’s Affiliation: Department of Economics, Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. Second Author’s Affiliation: Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi.

Abstract: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) is a widely practiced policy of the Government of India in the area of rural employment generation and poverty alleviation. While it has clear economic objectives, it also has a host of environmental benefits. Proper implementation of the scheme can generate a stream of economic, ecological and environmental services. The present study covers three villages of the state Uttarakhand which lies in the midst of the Himalayas. These small, medium and large sized rural areas have gained significantly by MGNREGA. The MGNREGA works have generated employment and income, improved connectivity and reduced migration to urban areas in search of jobs. On the other hand, there have been distinct improvements in the standards of sanitation, resource use, water conservation, etc. However, there is considerable scope in the MGNREGA for improvement in terms of efficiency, institutional support, policy formulation and implementation. The paper brings forward the dual – economic and environmental – benefits of MGNREGA and also highlights improvements which can make it one of the largest and most productive rural employment scheme with significant environmental benefits.

Keywords: MGNREGA, rural development, poverty, employment, environment, energy.

First received on: 24/07/16.

How to Cite:

MPA: 
Saha, Anindita R and Pankaj Bhatt. “MGNREGA as an Environmental Policy: A Case Study of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.” Journal of Innovation for Inclusive Development 1.1 (2016): 3-10. 

APA: 
Saha, A.R., & Bhatt, P. (2016). MGNREGA as an Environmental Policy: A Case Study of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Journal of Innovation for Inclusive Development, 1(1), 3-10. 

Chicago: 
Saha, Anindita R and Pankaj Bhatt. “MGNREGA as an Environmental Policy: A Case Study of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.” Journal of Innovation for Inclusive Development 1, no. 1 (2016): 3-10. 

Harvard: 
Saha, A., Bhatt, P. 2016. MGNREGA as an Environmental Policy: A Case Study of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Journal of Innovation for Inclusive Development, 1(1), pp. 3-10. 

Vancouver: 
Saha AR, Bhatt P. MGNREGA as an Environmental Policy: A Case Study of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Journal of Innovation for Inclusive Development. 2016 Aug 22;1(1):3-10.

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