Know Your State Himachal Pradesh – Check Himachal Pradesh GK Notes 2021 (Part 2)

In the previous write-up, we confabulated about the Culture, Geography and Political features of Himachal Pradesh. If you haven’t read that already, click here – Know your State ‘Himachal Pradesh’ – Part 1. Now, we will focus on the History, Environment and Economy of Himachal Pradesh.

Which State was originally formed as Union Territory and later recognised as State? Which state is famously known as ‘Fruit Bowl of India’? Do you guys know what the GDP per capita Rank of Himachal Pradesh is?

Himachal Pradesh is accentuated with stone as well as wood temples. The rich culture and traditions have made Himachal idiosyncratic in itself. The shadowy valleys, rugged crags, glaciers and enormous pines and roaring rivers and exquisite flora and fauna compose the symphony that is forever Himachal.

Let’s talk about the foregone History of Himachal Pradesh.

HISTORY Himachal Pradesh GK Notes:

Himachal Pradesh has been colonized by humans since the dawn of civilization. It has a rich and varied history which can be divided into several distinct eras.

• Early-History: 

The history of this mountainous state is complex and fragmented. Foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. Later, successive Indian empires such as the Mauryan (321–185 BCE), the Gupta (320–540 CE), and the Mughals (1526–1761), all the emperor emerging in the Indo-Gangetic plains worked forward to practice varying degrees of control over trade and pilgrimage routes into the area and between India and Tibet across the Himalayas.

• Independence struggle:

The revolt of 1857 was the first Indian war for independence that resulted due to the building up of political, social, economic, religious and military grievances against the British. People of the hill states were not as politically active as the people in other parts of the country. They remained more or less aloof and so did their rulers with the exception of Bushahr. Some of them even rendered help to the Britishers during the revolt. Among them were the rulers of Chamba, Bilaspur, Bhagal and Dhami. The rulers of Bushars acted in a manner hostile to the interests of British. However, it is not clear whether they actually aided the rebels or not. The British territories in the hill came under British Crown after Queen Victoria’s proclamation of 1858. The states of Chamba, Mandi and Bilaspur made good progress in many fields during the British rule.

• Post-Independence:

The Chief Commissioner’s province of Himachal Pradesh came into being on 15th April 1948. Bilaspur was merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1st July, 1954. Himachal Pradesh was originally formed as Union Territory on 1st November, 1956. It was recognized as the State of Himachal Pradesh on 25th January, 1971. Thus Himachal Pradesh emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.Himachal Pradesh has come a long way since then. It has seen several full-fledged governments that have led the state towards economic self-reliance.

This was all about the bygone days of Himachal Pradesh. Now, let’s switch to the next aspect of Himachal Pradesh i.e. Environment

ENVIRONMENT Himachal Pradesh GK Notes:

Himachal Pradesh is synonymous with spectacular beauty, serene landscape and adventure sports. Himachal Pradesh has several hill stations. Himachal Pradesh is one of the few states of India that have a rich forest land cover. The state has a wide variety of flora and fauna.

• Forest in the state currently covers about 68.16% of the total land area of the state.
• The state government aims to increase forest cover to 50% of the total land area. There have been various projects, including the establishment of protected areas such as National Parks designed to preserve and expand the forests.
• There are two important National Park in the state:

1. Great Himalayan National park of Kullu
2. Pin Valley National Park

• Bhakra Nangal Dam is a gravity dam across the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh. Bhakra Nangal Dam is the largest dam in India, with a height of 226 meters and the second largest Dam in Asia. Its reservoir, known as the “Gobind Sagar Lake” is the second largest reservoir in India.
• Himachal Pradesh boasts of main principal dams and reservoirs, in its state. Other than Bhakra Nangal Dam, other major dams of the state are the Pandoh Dam, Nathpa Dam, Chamera Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir and Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir.
• Himachal Pradesh provides water to both the Indus and Ganga Basins. The drainage systems of the region are the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab, the Ravi, the Beas, the Sutlej and the Yamuna. These rivers are perennial and are fed by snow and rainfall. They are protected by an extensive cover of natural vegetation.
• Bandli Sanctuary was established over four decades ago in 1962 for the protection of Snow Leopard. It is a representative of the northwest Himalaya province of the Himalayan biogeographic Zone.
• Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is counted among the best wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh which was established in 1976 and is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. The main attractions are sambhar, goral and cheer pheasants at blossom.
• Other famous Wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh are named as: Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Renuka Sanctuary, Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.

Let’s study another aspect of Himachal Pradesh i.e. Economy.

ECONOMY Himachal Pradesh GK Notes:

Most people in Himachal Pradesh depend for their livelihood on agriculture, pastoralism, transhumance (seasonal herding), horticulture, and forestry. State government has encouraged the development and dispersal of manufacturing, with different towns, specializing in the manufacture of particular goods. 

• Due to the production of so many varieties of fruits, Himachal Pradesh is also called the Fruit Bowl of India. Among all fruits, Apple production adds maximum towards the economy. Alone fruit production adds a 3 billion annual turnover to the state’s economy.
• The economy of the state is driven by three resources: Hydro-electricity, Tourism and Agriculture.
• Sirmaur has developed its reputation as the Biggest Flower producing district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh which includes Pashmina Shawls, Carpets and wooden decorative items are internationally famous.
• Himachal Pradesh ranked Fourth (2011 census) in Highest per capita income among other Indian States.
• Himachal Pradesh is considered as Second Least corrupted after Kerela.
• Himachal Pradesh has been declared the “first smoke-free” State in India on 2 July 2013 in compliance with Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The State has achieved 85.45% compliance with the relevant parameters.

GDP: ₹1.82 lakh crore

GDP Rank: 22nd

GDP Growth: 7.3% (2018-19)

GDP per capita: ₹208,513

GDP by sectors: Agriculture: 13%, Industry: 47%, Services: 40% (2018-19)

Revenues: ₹38,465 crore

Unemployment: 8.9% (2017-18)

EDUCATION Himachal Pradesh GK Notes:

Literacy rate of the state is 88.78% which is well above India’s average literacy rate of 74.04%. Himachal Pradesh is the 5^th most literate state of India. The government is working constantly to prepare various plans to strengthen the education system of Himachal Pradesh. Education rates among women are quite encouraging in the state. Himachal Pradesh is home to many educational institutions offering a wide variety of courses. 

SPORTS Himachal Pradesh GK Notes:

The state game of Himachal Pradesh is Volleyball and there are a lot of players who are international sportspersons from Himachal Pradesh. There are a number of hockey players, shooters, boxers and more sportspersons. The sportspersons are given special awards by the state government. The government has a big hand in promoting sports in the state. The state has a number of sports grounds for various sports like hockey, golf, volleyball, and more.

Here are some more interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh:

• Chail Cricket Ground in Himachal Pradesh located at 8,018 ft above sea level is considered the world’s highest Cricket ground. It was built in 1891 and is surrounded by thick forests of deodar.
• Himachal Pradesh is notorious for its dangerous roads. Manali-Leh Road and Kinnaur Roads are considered one of the top-most dangerous jaw-dropping roads in India.
• Hikkim in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh is famous for having the highest Polling Booth and highest Post Office in the world.
• In the whole wide Asia, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh is the only place that holds a natural ice skating rink.
• Bara Shigri is the largest glacier located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located in Lahaul-Spiti which is a beautiful hill station as well.

Therefore, this was all the necessary information about Himachal Pradesh that will help in your preparation for competitive exams like SSC CGL, CDS, Civil Services and NDA, etc. In the next blog, we would be discussing some interesting facts and trivia about the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Click here for Know your State – ‘Jammu and Kashmir’.

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