Himachal Pradesh  is a state in the north-west of India. Himachal Pradesh is spread over 55,780 square kilometers (21,537 sq mi) and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand on south-east and by Tibet on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.

Himachal Pradesh was also known as Dev Bhoomi (the land of the gods). The Aryan influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha war, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially in Punjab, except Siba State of Punjab Hills, under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh till 1857, In 1950 Himachal was declared as the union territory but after State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971 Himachal emerged as the 18th state of Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent upon three sources i.e. hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.

95% of the state population constitutes of Hindus. The major communities are of Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. As per the survey conducted in 2005 by Transparency International Himachal Pradesh is ranked second least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.

Investment Opportunities

There is a need to develop an
entirely new tourism city equipped with all modern amenities. Rajgarh Valley in
Sirmaur District is an ideal place for it because of its proximity to the
plains. This complex could be an integrated project with facilities for
adventure sports, game recreation health club amusement parks, spas, film city,
conference halls etc. Because of its proximity to Chandigarh, Such conferences
could be organised at this place. This is an ideal place for private sector
investment and on its part, government will provide all necessary assistance
including procurement of land. This is a major project, which will involve
investment of approximately Rs. 100 Crores in terms of facilities and
infrastructure.

MAJOR CHAIN OF FACILITIES:
The State Government also poses for
investment
Bilaspur-Una-Hamirpur-Kangra sector for massive investment by private sector,
for land has been identified especially that adjoining the lakes in Gobind Sagar
and Maharana Pratap Sagar. This area is ideal for setting up of amusement parks,
herbal gardens, lake resorts and floriculture. The entire belt is dotted with
numerous religious places which can be developed for the development of a major
chain of facilities for use by tourist. This area is ideally suitable for
adventure sports, water sports, wild life and eco-tourism. To just name a few,
Pragpur which has been declared a Heritage Village and Masroor, an old rock
temple are located in this sector. The Judge’s court at Pragpur in Kangra
District is a success story as a Heritage Property. Similarly, Bilaspur, Una,
Hamirpur and Kangra also have religious places like Baba Barbagh Singh,
Deot-Sidh and Shakti temples like Naina Devi, Chintpurni, Jwalamukhi, Chamunda.
[Kangra]
[Bilaspur]
[Hamirpur]
[Una]

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS IN TRIBAL AREAS:
The tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh are
known for natural beauty and have recently been opened up to foreign tourists
can visit this area in a group of four or more. There is an urgent need to
provide clean international standard facilities for tourists visiting this area.
This area is open for private sector investment for creation of facilities for
tourists. The thousand years old Buddhist Monastery of Tabo in Spiti with its
fine paintings has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. [Lahaul
& Spiti] [Kinnaur]

ROPWAYS
AND SKI-RESORTS:
Other areas which are opened for large
investment, are for the development of ski-resorts, lakes and ropeways. a
sky-resort can be developed near Chanshal range, which is one of the largest
ranges for skiing in the country even bigger than this ski range in Uttar
Pradesh. Another beautiful area for ski-resort alongwith a couple of ropeways is
the area above Solang in Kullu Valley. This is one of the last areas for the
development of a ski-resort. The State Govt. will provide all assistance in
terms of clearance including forest clearance. Of course our emphasis is to
develop tourism facilities in such a way so that the fragile ecology of the
State is preserved ans is not tampered with. There are many identified ropeways
in Himachal Pradesh. These are Kullu to Bijli mahadev (in Kullu), Mandi to Tarna
(in Mandi town), Dharamkot to Triund (in Dharamshala), Narkanda to Hattu Peak
and Tara Devi to Shimla (in Shimla) which are ready for private sector
investment. [Kullu]
[Mandi]
[Kangra]
[Shimla]

HERITAGE PROPERTIES:
Himachal has an enormous range of
heritage properties. Some

of these are ancient forts and some of these are colonial mansions. Then there
are places that belongs to an era gone by and marked opulent life style of
India’s Princes and then there are century old hotels. Many of heritage
properties have been converted into commercial heritage property and are being
developed. Big hotels chain can have a look at some of these properties are for
being developed as Heritage Property. Some colonial buildings can be found
especially in Kasauli and Dalhousie for their development as Heritage
properties. Many States like Rajasthan have developed heritage properties with
the active participation of private sector for development of these "Heritage
Properties". [Solan]
[Chamba]

ADVENTURE SPORTS:
Himachal Pradesh has excellent scope
for adventure tourism. For example
para-gliding, hand gliding, white water rafting, mountaineering and trekking.
There are 270 identified treks in Himachal which are utilised by domestic and
foreign tourists. Trekking equipments is also made available by the department
to interested tourists and regional branch of Himalyan Mountaineering Institute,
Dharamshala is also playing important role in this direction. Many organised
groups for example Excursion from London are also sending groups of tourists for
trekking to Himachal Pradesh. Himachal is full of beautiful places many of them
are totally unexplored and unknown and hence hold immense lure for the tourists.
Private sector can also play a big role in the provision of appropriate
transport arrangement for tourists from outside the State. [Adventure
Sports].

CIVIL AVIATION:
Civil Aviation is

Very Important area for Private Sector Investment. At present the State can
offer three airports for private sector participation. These airports are
Banikhet in Chamba district, Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur District and Sunder Nagar
in Mandi Districts. In addition the private sector is also welcome to give there
offers for starting helicopter services within and outside the State so as to
improve accessibility to and within the State. [Chamba]
[Sirmour]
[Mandi]

Education in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is keen in providing education
to all. There are several institutions for this purpose.
    

H.P. Education Department:

<!–
• Para
  Teachers ( PGT/ TGT/ C & V )

–>

• 
  Department’s Website

Universities:

•  
  Himachal Pradesh University,
  Summer Hill, Shimla
•  
  Dr. Y.S. Parmar
  University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan
  
•   C.S.K. H.P.
  Krishi Vishva Vidyalaya, Palampur
•   Jaypee University of
  Information Technology (JUIT), Vaknaghat, Solan
•   Indira Gandhi
  National Open University, New Delhi

Other Institutes:

•   Indian Institute of
  Advanced Studies (IIAS), Shimla
•   HP Board of
  School Education, Dharamshala
•   State Council
  of Education, Research & Training (SCERT), Solan
•   Central Board of
  Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi

AICTE:

•   All India Council
  For Technical Education – AICTE
        Details of AICTE approved Programmes and
  Institutes,
  various schemes approved by AICTE and other information.

NCTE:

•   National Council for
  Teacher Education – NCTE
        Details of NCTE approved Programmes
  and Institutes, various norms, standards and other information.

UGC:

•   University Grants
  Commission – UGC
        Details of UGC approved
  Universities and Institutions, Academic Staff Colleges and other information.

Medical Colleges:

•  
  Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla
•   Dr. Rajender Pradsad Govt. Medical College, Tanda, Kangra

Dental Colleges:

•   Govt. Dental College, Shimla
•   DAV Dental College, Solan
•   Bhojia Dental College & Hospital, Chandigarh-Nalagarh Road, Near Wood,
  Baddi ( H.P.)
    Phone: 91-1795-246921, 244721, 244621.
•   Dental College Sunder Nagar (H.P.)

Engineering Colleges:

•   National Institute
  of Technology, Hamirpur
•   HP University -
  Institute of Information Technology, Shimla
•   Engineering College, Kala Amb

Polytechnic
Colleges:

•   Govt.
  Polytechnic College (Women), Kandaghat, Solan

 

Education

Colleges:

•  
  Government College of Teacher Education, Dharamshala
•  
  Shanti Alya Institute of Education and Training (SIET)

General Colleges: – 64

•   Government Degree
  College, Sanjaulli, Shimla

 

Primary Schools – 10484

Middle Schools – 1056

Senior Secondary Schools -
1339

•  
  Kendriya Vidyalaya,
  Keylong

 

Computer Institutes:

• DOEACC Society, New
  Delhi
• DOEACC Centre, Chandigarh
  
  <!–         Under Graduate Annual Examinations

  –>  DOEACC Centre, Chandigarh
  organises various IT related training programmes, Software Development and
  Turn Key Projects
   

Himachal At A Glance

The earliest
known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came
and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains
accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj
rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some
mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th
century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British
came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and
annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged
till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and
Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab
on 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in
Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a
full-fledged State.

The State is
bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on
South, Uttar Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.

General
	Location
	Latitude	30o 22′ 40" N to 33o 12′ 40" N
	Longitude	75o 45′ 55" E to 79o 04′ 20" E
	Height (From mean sea Level)	350 meter to 6975 meter
	Population [2001-Census]	6077248 persons
	Urban	594881 persons
	Rural	5482367 persons
	Geographical Area [2001]	55,673 sq. km
	Density (per Sq. Km.) [2001]	109
	Females per 1000 Males [2001]	970
	Birth Rate (per 1000) [2002(P)]	22.1
	Death Rate (per 1000) [2002(P)]	7.2
Administrative Structure [2002]
	State Capital	Shimla
	No. of Districts	12
	No. of tehsils	75
	No. of Sub Divisions	52
	No. of Blocks	75
	No. of  Nagar Panchyats
	No. of  Gram Panchyats
	No. of Villages	20118
	No. of Towns	57
	No. of Parliament Constituencies
	Lok Sabha	4
	Rajya Sabha	3
	No.of Assembly Constituencies	68

Development Indicators
	Per Capita Income [2000-01]	Rs. 10942
	Literacy [2001]	77.13 %
	Male	86.03%
	Female	68.08 %
	Total Villages Electrified	100 %
	Telephone sets	145505
	No. of Hospitals	632
	No. of Schools
	Primary
	Middle
	High/ Higher Secondary
	Colleges
	General
	Medical	2
	Engineering	4
	Universities	4
	No. of S.S.I. Units	30176
Land Use Pattern
	Net Area Sown	560154 Hects.

Forest Cover [1996-97]
	Reserved Forests Area	1896 sq.kms.
	Protected Forests Area	43043 sq.kms.
	Unclassed Forest Area	976 sq.kms.
	Other Forests Area	370 sq.kms.
	Forests not under control of forest Deptt.	748 sq.kms.
	No. of Wild Life Sanctuaries	32
Others
	Average Rainfall	1469 mm
	State Animal	Snow Leopard
	State Bird	Western Tragopan (Jujurana) (Tragopan melanocephalus)
	State Flower	Pink Rhododendron (Rhododendron campanulatum)
	State Language	Hindi & Local Dialects
	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

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