The Village Development Programme (VDP) being implemented in various village development committees of Dolakha district under the local self-governance programme is gaining popularity these days.

At present VDP is being implemented at Lakuridanda, Fasku, Pawari, Bhirge, Suspachhawati, Bhedpu, Sundrawati, Jhule, Boche, Laduk, Jiri, Malu, Namdu, Chhetrapa, Orang, Gyhansungkathokar, Melung, Dandakharka and Kalinchowk VDCs of Dolakha district.

Under VDP, 427 community groups of villagers living below the poverty line have been formed in the above VDCs. these community groups have saved Rs 4,327,522 and invested Rs 4.5621 million in income generation works.

Likewise, the members of the community group have invested Rs 5.365 million through the local trust fund in income generation activities, according to advisor of the DDC Mahesh Nepal.

A feeling of unity has been developed among the villagers, disputes ended, forests protected and villages become cleaner, Goma Thami of Setidevi community group says.

VDP has been organising agricultural, livestock, cottage industry training programmes for 1,085 members of the community groups with the objective of developing skill and involving the members in vocational works unitedly.

The local self-governance programme has been successful in ending social anomalies and social inequalities in the villages, DDC advisor Nepal says, adding that the women of the villages are now capable of reading and speaking like their male counterparts and presenting their problems.

DDC chairman Lal Kumar KC says that the VDP has helped to reduce poverty by forming community groups, mobilising savings, developing skills, handing over technology and implementing development programmes in the villages.