Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal (उत्तरांचल) became the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9, 2000 after a relatively short and peaceful struggle by its people in the 1990s, having previously comprised part of Uttar Pradesh. Uttaranchal borders China in the north-east and Nepal to the south-east, while its neighbour states are Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The provisional capital of Uttaranchal is Dehradun which is also a rail-head and largest city in the region. The small hamlet of Gairsen has been mooted as a future capital owing to its geographic centrality. The High Court of Uttaranchal is situated in the district of Nainital. The region is also known as Uttarakhand, which derives from the Sanskrit for North Country.

Related Topics:
State - India - November 9 - 2000 - Uttar Pradesh - China - Nepal - Himachal Pradesh - Dehradun - Gairsen - Nainital - Uttarakhand

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Uttaranchal has traditionally been divided into two parts, the western half known as Garhwal and the eastern region going by the name of Kumaon.

Related Topics:
Garhwal - Kumaon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Uttaranchal is a region of outstanding natural beauty. Most of the northern parts of the state are covered by the high Himalayan ranges and glaciers, while the lower reaches are densely forested. The unique Himalayan ecosystem plays host to a large number of animals (including bharal, snow leopards, leopards and tigers), plants and rare herbs. Two of India's mightiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna take birth in the glaciers of Uttaranchal, and are fed by myriad lakes, glacial melts and streams in the region.

Related Topics:
Himalaya - Bharal - Snow leopard - Leopard - Tiger - Ganga - Yamuna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economy of Uttaranchal, with the Raj era hill-stations at Mussoorie, Almora, Ranikhet and Nainital being some of the most frequented destinations. To this region also belong some of the holiest Hindu shrines, and for almost 2000 years now pilgrims have been visiting the temples at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath in the hope of salvation and purification from sin.

Related Topics:
Raj - Mussoorie - Almora - Ranikhet - Nainital - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Badrinath - Kedarnath

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Recent developments in the region include initiatives by the state government to capitalise on the burgeoning tourist trade as well as tax incentives to lure high-tech industry to the state. The state also plays host to some of the worst conceived big-dam projects in India such as the monstrously large Tehri dam on the Bhagirathi-Bhilangana rivers, conceived in 1953 and still incomplete.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~