While stunting is rapidly decreasing among children under five in Uttarakhand, children in Pauri and Chamoli districts are experiencing a decrease in height. This was revealed in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). AIIMS experts want to conduct research in both districts to clarify the reasons. They have sought the state government’s cooperation for this. Uttarakhand has performed well in reducing stunting among children under five. Professor Vartika Saxena, Head of the Department of Community Medicine at AIIMS, stated that according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, in 2005, 44 percent of children under five in Uttarakhand were stunted, while in 2021, this figure has reached 27 percent. The rate of reduction in stunting in Uttarakhand is 7 percent, while Uttarakhand ranks 8th in the country in terms of stunting. Professor Saxena Vartika stated that stunting among children under five years of age is rapidly decreasing across the state, but it has been increasing in children in Pauri and Chamoli districts over the past five years, which is worrying. An increase of 0.4 percent has been observed among children in Chamoli and 7.1 percent among children in Pauri. Prof. Vartika stated that AIIMS is ready to conduct research to determine the causes of this increase in stunting among children in both districts, so that a clear understanding of the causes can help address this problem. She has sought the state government’s cooperation in this regard. Sikkim Leads in Reducing Stunting Sikkim leads in reducing stunting. The reduction rate in Sikkim is 7.7 percent. Here, 22.3% of children under five are stunted. Madhya Pradesh also has a 7.7 percent reduction rate, but 35% of children here are stunted. Rajasthan is in second place. The stunting rate here is 7.2 percent. 31.8 percent of children under five are stunted. Success due to improved implementation of schemes Prof. Vartika says that the state is seeing success through improved implementation of schemes. The scheme for adopting malnourished children has proven to be a good one. This scheme was initiated by Mangesh Ghildial, Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, while serving as District Magistrate of Rudraprayag. Additionally, the Anchal Amrit Yojana, Bal Palash Yojana, Mahalaxmi Kit Yojana, and Chief Minister’s Dal Poshit Yojana have also proven to be important
