Inside Rajasthan's Highest Village Body Oriya: Tourism Boom at Guru Shikhar Masking Stark Connectivity Struggles Perched below Mount Abu's Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan's highest gram panchayat earns revenue from steady tourist traffic, yet remote hamlets still lack roads and winter essentials. Mount Abu in Sirohi district is widely celebrated as Rajasthan's premier hill station, drawing travellers from across the country for its pleasant climate and rugged landscapes. Alongside the urban municipal council of the town, the region is also home to Oriya, the single rural local body operating on these mountain slopes. Oriya holds the unique distinction of being the highest gram panchayat in the entire state of Rajasthan, housing Guru Shikhar, the crowning summit of the Aravalli mountain range, which towers at an elevation of 1,722 metres above sea level. The jurisdiction encompasses prominent landmarks such as the Achalgarh fort, the Peace Park, and picturesque viewpoints that regularly attract visitors. Demographics, Local Settlements, and Ghost Villages Nine distinct rural settlements fall within the administrative borders of Oriya gram panchayat: Achalgarh, Oriya, Utraj, Guru Shikhar, Shergaon, Jawai, Aarna, Aaki, and Block Number 3. The community comprises diverse social groups living across roughly 200 to 250 households. According to Village Development Officer Ashok Singh, the official census of 2011 recorded a population of 1,159 residents. In recent electoral revisions, the voter count expanded to 2,200 individuals, while the overall local population currently stands at an estimated 3,000 people. However, two of the nine villages exist only on official maps. Both Aaki and Block Number 3 have stood deserted for nearly a century without a single permanent resident. Historical accounts indicate that an epidemic struck the region around the 1930s. Compounded by severe isolation and a total absence of civic infrastructure, the surviving residents abandoned their dwellings and migrated elsewhere, leaving the two hamlets permanently deserted ever since. Trekking Rocky Trails: Daily Realities in Remote Hamlets Life remains exceptionally demanding for families settled in the interior settlements of Shergaon and Utraj. Shergaon is situated at a staggering altitude of approximately 1,500 metres above sea level. To this day, neither village has a motorable road connection, forcing villagers to rely exclusively on steep, winding mountain pathways. Residents frequently walk distances ranging between 7 and 12 kilometres along rugged slopes just to reach Guru Shikhar or access the main transport routes. Civic duties demand similar endurance. When election day arrives, electors from Shergaon must trek roughly 5 kilometres on foot across difficult terrain to cast their ballots at the polling booth located in Utraj. Extreme climatic conditions further complicate daily survival. During peak winter, temperatures drop sharply across these elevated ridges, bringing biting frost. Due to the lack of modern heating amenities and adequate healthcare support, several households temporarily shift down to lower altitudes until the bitter cold recedes. Commercial Inflows Versus Lingering Development Gaps Culturally and economically, Oriya gram panchayat is deeply anchored in heritage and spiritual tourism. Pilgrims and tourists arrive in steady numbers to visit the historical Achalgarh fort, the revered Achaleshwar Mahadev shrine, centuries-old Jain temples, the Chamunda Mata temple, and the Maa Kali temple. Legend also surrounds Bhim Gufa, a cave traditionally associated with the Mahabharata figure Bhima. Nearby, the Brahma Kumaris Peace Park draws visitors seeking meditation and calm from all over India and abroad. Financially, the gram panchayat generates its primary income through a municipal toll barrier and commercial licences linked to the hospitality and visitor economy. While agriculture, livestock rearing, and tourism services provide basic subsistence for local families, systemic developmental challenges persist. Despite being the highest local body in Rajasthan and generating substantial tourist earnings, residents in outlying hamlets continue their daily struggle for accessible healthcare, quality schooling, and paved roads. What this means for you The situation in Oriya highlights the stark divide between flourishing tourist revenues and the lack of basic infrastructure in adjoining mountainous settlements. • Across India: The disparity underscores the pressing need for sustainable mountain governance policies across tourist destinations. It reveals how commercial revenue from hill resorts often fails to translate into essential connectivity for surrounding hamlets. • In Sirohi: For residents of Shergaon and Utraj, the lack of road connectivity severely impacts emergency medical assistance and daily schooling. Local authorities face growing public scrutiny to construct all-weather tracks through the fragile Aravalli terrain. • For Visitors: Tourists visiting Mount Abu and Guru Shikhar can support grassroots livelihoods by buying directly from local farming and handicraft families. Conscientious travel habits can help alleviate the ecological strain on these high-altitude ecosystems. • For Local Residents: The requirement to walk 5 kilometres just to vote emphasizes the need for decentralized polling facilities and administrative outreach. Village councils must continue prioritizing road, clinic, and school sanctions from state authorities. Why this happened The infrastructure shortfall in Oriya stems from its rugged mountain geography combined with strict ecological regulations surrounding Mount Abu. • Challenging Topography: Situated at elevations up to 1,722 metres, hamlets like Shergaon sit perched along sheer cliffs and deep ridges. Building durable vehicular roads across these granite inclines involves severe engineering hurdles and high costs. • Environmental Restrictions: As an ecologically sensitive zone and wildlife sanctuary belt, Mount Abu falls under rigorous environmental conservation laws. Securing clearances to clear forest paths or lay tarmac encounters lengthy administrative reviews. • Historical Depopulation: The 1930s epidemic emptied entire villages like Aaki and Block Number 3, leaving scattered, sparse settlements behind. Delivering public utilities to extremely low-density mountain clusters has historically lagged behind higher-priority urban projects. Questions & Answers 1. Which is the highest gram panchayat in Rajasthan? Oriya, situated in the Mount Abu region of Sirohi district, is the highest gram panchayat in Rajasthan. 2. Which major mountain peak falls under Oriya gram panchayat? Guru Shikhar, the highest peak of the Aravalli range standing at 1,722 metres above sea level, falls within this panchayat. 3. How many villages comprise Oriya gram panchayat? There are 9 villages in total, although two of them, Aaki and Block Number 3, have been uninhabited since an epidemic in the 1930s. 4. How far do Shergaon villagers have to walk to cast their votes? Voters from Shergaon must trek roughly 5 kilometres on foot along mountain tracks to reach the polling booth in Utraj village. 5. What is the primary source of revenue for Oriya panchayat? The panchayat earns its main income through a toll barrier and commercial activities tied to local tourist and religious sites. https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/guru-shikhar-ki-talhati-me-basi-oriya-panchayat-paryatan-ka-khajana-hone-ke-bavjud-pagdandiyo-par-kat-rahi-zindagi-49558 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.