Himachal Pradesh

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Himachal Pradesh

Area: 55,673 sq km
Capital: Shimla
Languages: Hindi and Pahari
Districts: 12
Physiography: Himachal Pradesh is situated in the north west corner of India, right in the lap of the Himalayan ranges. It is surrounded by Jammu and Kashmir in the north, Uttar Pradesh in the south east, Haryana in the south and Punjab in the west; in the east, it forms India's boundary with Tibet.The state is almost entirely mountainous with altitudes ranging from 460 to 6600 metres above sea level. It has a deeply dissected topography, a complex geological structure and a rich temperate flora in sub-tropical latitudes.

Himachal Pradesh is drained by a number of rivers, the most important of which are Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna. All these rivers are snow-fed and hence perennial. Besides, the natural reservoirs and the large drops available in the river courses provide immense potential for hydel power generation at low cost.

History: Himachal Pradesh was originally formed as a centrally-administered territory on April 15, 1948 by the integration of some thirty odd Punjab hill states. In 1951, it became a 'Part C' state under a Lt. Governor, with a Legislative Assembly of 36 members and a Cabinet of three ministers.

In 1954, Bilaspur, another 'Part C' state was merged with Himachal Pradesh and the strength of the Assembly was raised to 41 members.In 1956, the States Re-organization Commission recommended the merger of Himachal Pradesh with Punjab. But the people of Himachal Pradesh so stoutly opposed the merger that it was not put into effect.Till October, 1966 Himachal Pradesh consisted of only six hill districts—Mahasu, Mandi, Chamba, Sirmaur, Bilaspur and Kinnaur. In November, 1966, it was enlarged by the addition of some of the hilly areas of Punjab—Shimla, Kangra, Kulu, Lahaul and Spiti districts and the Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala district and areas of Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts.

Himachal Pradesh was re-organized into 10 districts and declared a state on January 25, 1971 with Shimla as its capital. In 1972-73, the districts were reshuffled bringing up their number to 12.

Administration: There is only one house of legislature, i.e., Vidhan Sabha.

Districts
  1. Bilaspur
  2. Chamba
  3. Hamirpur
  4. Kangra
  5. Kinnaur
  6. Kullu
  7. Lahaul & Spiti
  8. Mandi
  9. Shimla
  10. Sirmaur
  11. Solan
  12. Una
Economy: Agriculture and horticulture are the mainstay of Himachal's economy as 71 per cent of people are engaged in these pursuits. Irrigated area forms 26 per cent of the net area sown. However, the agroclimatic conditions in the state are more suitable for growing a wide variety of fruits and cash crops like seed potatoes, ginger, vegetable seeds, apples, stone fruits, etc. Wheat, maize and paddy are the major cereal crops.

The state continues to be industrially backward. The 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri hydro electric project is expected to generate 6700 m. units of energy. There are about 20,000 small scale industrial units in the organized sector employing about 75000 persons besides numerous cottage and village industrial units.

A most modern and sophisticated fruit processing plant with a capital outlay of about Rs. 400 crore has been set up at Parwanoo.Among major and medium industries are Nahan Foundry, Nahan; Resin and Turpentine factories at Nahan and Bilaspur; Mohan Meakin Breweries, Solan and United Diamonds Ltd., Parwanoo.

District Industries Centres have been functioning in all the 12 districts. An Electronics Development Corporation also has been set up.The number of educational institutions in the State has risen from 300 in 1948 to 13,000. More primary schools are to be opened to ensure that no student had to walk more than 1.5 km to get primary education.

Universities:
  • Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, Pin:173 230;
  • Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, Pin: 176 062;
  • Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Pin: 171 005
Tourist Centres: Himachal Pradesh is studded with a number of hill stations which are refreshingly cool in summer. They offer to the tourists a quick holiday amidst breath-taking scenery. Shimla, Dalhousie, Dharmasala (The Dalai Lama lives here), Kulu, Kasauli, Solan, Chail and Kufri are some of the famous hill stations.Kharjiar in Chamba district has earned the name 'Mini Switzerland' because of the striking similarity in landscape.

The state abounds in wildlife among which are some rare species like musk deer, ibex, thar, Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard among animals and monal, tragopan, kokiash and snowcocks among birds.

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