HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Particulars
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Description
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Area
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55,673 sq. km
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Population
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68,56,509 *
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Capital
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Shimla
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Principal
Languages
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Hindi &
Pahari
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* As per 2011 Census (Provisional Data)
History
and Geography
Himachal situated in
the heart of the western Himalaya, identified as "Dev Bhumi"and is
believed to be the abode of Gods and Goddesses. The entire State is punctuated
with stone as well as wood temples. The rich culture and traditions have made
Himachal unique in itself. The shadowy valleys, rugged crags, glaciers and
gigantic pines and roaring rivers and exquisite flora and fauna compose the
symphony that is for ever Himachal.
Himachal Pradesh came
into being as a Union Territory in April 1948 as a result of integration of 30
princely States spread over 27,000 sq.km. In 1954, when another C"class
state of Bilaspur merged in Himachal Pradesh, its area increased to 28,241
sq.km. The position remained unchanged till 1966. On re-organisation of the
State, the hilly areas of Punjab were merged with the State, increasing its
size to 55,673 sq.km. Himachal Pradesh today is quoted as a successful model of
not only hill area development but also for having realised development in
education, health and social services.
Agriculture
Agriculture being the
main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh has an important role in the
economy of the State. It provides direct employment to about 69 per cent of the
main working population. Income from agriculture and allied sectors accounts
for nearly 22.1 per cent of the total State Domestic Product. Out of the total
geographical area of 55.673 sq. km., area of operational holding is about 9.79
lakh hectares owned by 9.14 lakh farmers. The marginal and small farmers
possess 86.4 per cent of the total land holdings. The cultivated area in the
state is only 10.4 percent.
Horticulture
Nature has endowed
Himachal Pradesh with a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, which have
helped the farmers to cultivate large varieties of fruits ranging from temperate
to sub-tropical. The main fruits under cultivation are apple, pear, peach,
plum, apricot nut and citrus fruits like mango, litchi, guava and strawberry.
The Horticulture
Technology Mission for the integrated development of horticulture is being
implemented with a total outlay of Rs.80 crore during the tenth five-year
plan period. This Mission is based on the "end to end approach"
taking into account the entire gamut of horticulture development with all
backward and forward linkages in a holistic manner. Under this scheme, four
centres of excellence are being created in different Agro-Climatic Zones with
common facilities like water harvesting, vermicompost, greenhouses, organic
farming and farm mechanisation.
Roads
Roads are the lifelines
and major means of communication in the predominantly hill State of Himachal
Pradesh. Out of its 55,673 sq. km area, 36,700 km is inhabited out which 16,807
inhabited villages are scattered over slopes of numerous hill ranges and
valleys. Realising the importance of construction of roads for connecting
production areas with market centres, Himachal Pradesh Government has decided
to connect every panchayat with roads in the next two years. When the Himachal
Pradesh came into existence in 1948 there were 288 km. of roads. This number
had gone up to 33,171 km by 15 August 2010.
Hydro-power
Generation
Himachal Pradesh has
immense hydro-potential in its five river basins. Chenab, Rabi, Beas, Satluj
and Yamuna which emanates from the western Himalayas pass through the State.
The strategy of development in the power sector comprises expeditious
actualisation of the Hydro Electric Potential and introduction of power sector
reforms to bring efficiency in the sector and provide high quality power to the
consumers at reasonable rates besides availability of abundant power to
industrial and tourism sectors. The total identified potential in the State
stands at 23,230 M.W which is one fourth of Indias total hydro-power potential.
Presently out of this 6,480 M.W has already been harnessed by various agencies.
Projects aggregating to 7,602 M.W are under execution.
There is no denying
this fact in view of the way the Government has embarked upon an accelerated
Power Development Programme. The State is speedily moving towards becoming a
"Power State"of the Country. All the census villages in the State
have been electrified and now left out hamlets are being covered.
Industrial
Growth
Industrial development
has been given big boost in the State. Pollution free environment, abundant
availability of power and rapidly developing infrastructure, peaceful
atmosphere, and responsive and transparent administration are some of the added
attractions and advantages that the entrepreneurs get in Himachal Pradesh. 349
large and medium and about 33,284 small-scale industrial units with an
investment of about Rs.4822.54 crore have been set up in the State
generating employment for 2 lakh persons. The sector is contributing 17 per
cent to the State Domestic Product and the annual turnover on this account is
about Rs.6000 crore.
Information
Technology
The Government of
Himachal Pradesh has developed an IT Vision-2010 in collaboration with NASSCOM
to make Himachal Pradesh an IT destination. Under the IT policy, it has been
decided to accord the status of industry to all IT projects including IT
related services and educational institutions. As such, all the incentives
available for industrial units are also being given to all IT units, and IT
related services.
Bio-Technology
Keeping in view the
importance of bio-technology, special emphasis is being laid on exploiting the
vast bio-technology potential available in the State. A separate Department of
Bio-technology has been set up in the State. States own bio-technology policy
has been formulated. All bio-technological units are entitled for incentives
which have been allowed for industrial units. The State Government proposes to
set up Bio-technology Park in Solan District.
Irrigation
and Water Supply
Net sown area in the
State was 5.83 lakh hectares till 2007.Villages have been provided with the
facility of drinking water. Over 15,000 hand pumps have been installed in the
State so far. For better reform in water supply and irrigation sector, the
State Government has taken up a WASH project with the total cost of Rs.339
crore for irrigation as well as for drinking water supply schemes with
Gesellschaft for Technische Zuoammeuorbeit (GTZ).
Forestry
The total geographical
area of the state is 55,673 sq km. As per record, the total forest area is
37,033 sq. km. Out of this, 16,376 sq. km. area is not fit for tree growth
comprising alpine pastures, area under permanent snow, etc. The cultivable
recorded forest area is only 20,657 sq. km.
Efforts are being taken
to bring maximum area under green cover by implementing States own projects,
Government of Indias projects and also through external aided projects. The
World Bank has also sanctioned a Rs.365 crore Integrated Watershed
Development Project for the Mid Himalayas. 545 Panchayats of 42 developmental
blocks in 10 districts would be covered during the next six years. There are 2
National Parks and 32 wild life sanctuaries in the State. Total area under wild
life sanctuaries is 5562 km area under National Parks is 1440 Km and total area
of Protected Area Network is 7002 sq. km.
Education
Himachal Pradesh has
emerged as the third best State in terms of over-all development and
performance. The state has been adjudged number one State in Primary Education
and teacher-student ratio. Himachal Pradesh has witnessed literacy revolution
as we are second only to Kerala in literacy. The State has about 17,000
educational institutes, including three Universities, two Medical Colleges, one
Engineering College in the Government Sector and a number of technical,
professional and other educational institutions. The literacy percentage of the
State according to 2011 Census is 83.78. The State Governments emphasis now is
to ensure qualitative improvement in the education besides need based
expansion. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan an ambitious project worth Rs.532 crore is
being evolved with the main objective of achieving universalisation of
elementary education with the sole aim to spread the light of knowledge to
every nook and corner of the State.
Tourism
Tourism Industry in
Himachal Pradesh has been given very high priority and the Government has
developed an appropriate infrastructure for its development which includes
provision of public utility services, roads, communication network, airports,
transport facilities, water supply and civic amenities, etc. The State
Government is poised to transform the State into "A Destination for All
Seasons and All Reasons".
The State Tourism
Development Corporation contributes 10 per cent to the State exchequer. The
corporation contributes more than Rs.2.00 crore per annum by way of Sales
tax, luxury tax and passenger tax. In the year-2007, tourist arrivals in the
State were 8.3 million.
The State has a rich
treasure of places of pilgrimage and of anthropological value. The State has
also the pride of being the home to rishis like Vyas,
Parashar,Vashist, Markandey and Lamas, etc. Hot water springs, historic forts,
natural and man-made lakes, shepherds grazing their flock are sources of
immense pleasure and joy to the tourist.
The State Government is
aiming at promoting sustainable tourism, encouraging private sector to develop
tourism related infrastructure in the State without disturbing the existing
ecology and environment. The main thrust is on employment generation and
promoting new concepts of tourism in the State. In order to increase the
duration of the stay of the visitors/tourists, a special emphasis is being laid
on the development of activities-based on tourism.
For the promotion and
development of the State from the tourism point of view, the Government is
focusing on the following areas:
History related tourism,
Identification of new areas/tourist destinations and promotion of village
tourism, Improvement of infrastructure, Pilgrimage tourism, Tribal tourism, Ecotourism,
Health tourism, Promotion of adventure tourism, Wildlife tourism and Cultural
tourism.
Major
Rivers : Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Parbati
Major Lakes
: Renuka, Rewalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas
Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Prashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri,
Sreolsar, Gobind Sagar, Nako
Districts : 12
Governor
: Urmila Singh
Chief Minister
: Virbhadra Singh
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