SBMA - Uttaranchal

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Uttaranchal is one of the most recently created Indian states, carved from the largest state, Uttar Pradesh, on November 9, 2000. The state is bordered by three other Indian states, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the neighboring countries of Nepal and Chinese occupied Tibet. The population of Uttaranchal comprises less than one percent of the total Indian population with 8,479,562 people, according to the March 2001 census, and it is one of the most sparsely populated states in the country.

The terrain varies from the plains surrounding the capital city of Dehra Dun to the Himalayan peaks, like Nanda Devi, and everything in between. The vast majority of urban settlements are located in the foothills and river valleys while the hills remain primarily rural.

Rural areas remain disconnected as there is little in the way of reliable road and communication networks. Basic infrastructure, such as electricity, protected water supply, and sanitation facilities are still very poor. In all development and health parameters there is great variation between districts with the plains areas significantly better off than the hilly regions.



	Mountains History People & Culture Mountains Stories Uttaranchal At a glance Govt. Orders Utt. Email Directory Govt Depts. Tourism Transport Public Works Economics & Stats. Policy Finance Tech Education Rural Development Planning Irrigation Organisations Power Corporation Jal Vidyut Nigam Pey Jal Nigam Disaster Management Diversified Agriculture Support Project Swajal Watershed Mgnt. Directorate IT Development Authority GB Pant University of Agr & Tech		Uttaranchal is one of the most recently created Indian states, carved from the largest state, Uttar Pradesh, on November 9, 2000. The state is bordered by three other Indian states, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the neighboring countries of Nepal and Chinese occupied Tibet. The population of Uttaranchal comprises less than one percent of the total Indian population with 8,479,562 people, according to the March 2001 census, and it is one of the most sparsely populated states in the country.



			The terrain varies from the plains surrounding the capital city of Dehra Dun to the Himalayan peaks, like Nanda Devi, and everything in between. The vast majority of urban settlements are located in the foothills and river valleys while the hills remain primarily rural. Administratively, the state is divided into two major regions, Garhwal and Kumaun, which have in all 13 districts, 42 tehsils, 95 development blocks and 15669 inhabited villages. There are 73 registered townships, and the rest of the villages are quite small.

			Rural areas remain disconnected as there is little in the way of reliable road and communication networks. Basic infrastructure, such as electricity, protected water supply, and sanitation facilities are still very poor. In all development and health parameters there is great variation between districts with the plains areas significantly better off than the hilly regions. Economically, society is basically agrarian, especially in the rural districts. Economic concerns still revolve around issues of food, fodder, fuel and water. People have marginal land holdings (approx. less than half acre) and most of the land is rain fed. The productivity has decreased considerably and high investment of labor has forced people to think about alternative means of livelihood. There is little to no source of income in the villages. This causes the able-bodied men, and even children, to migrate to towns and cities in search of work, leaving the burdens of farming and everyday life squarely on the shoulders of women. There are a number of possibilities for stimulating the economy in the state. The Ganga River begins its course in the high Himalayas of Uttaranchal, and, thus, there are a multitude of religious and pilgrimage sites. Also, adventure sports are becoming more popular, and eco-tourism can be an exciting source of income for the local people. There are amazing opportunities for mountaineering, skiing, hiking, and rafting. Decentralized forms of renewable energy are becoming interesting as a form of energy and income generation. Also, programs are promoting rural industries and market agriculture.