SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC SURVEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH 2018-19 (Part II)

FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT :

Forests in Himachal Pradesh cover an area of 37,947 Sq. Km. and account for 68.16 percent of total geographical area of the state. However, presently 26.4 percent is Forest cover of the total geographical area of the State. The aim of the Forest Department is to enhance the forest cover in the State to 30 percent of its geographical area by 2030 to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Nagar Van Udyan Yojana - “Ek Kadam Hariyali Ki Or”

A Programme for Climate Smart Green Cities by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The visionof this scheme is to create at least one City Forest in each city having Municipal Corporation for providing wholesome, healthy living environment and contributing to growth of Smart, Clean, Green, Sustainable and Healthy Cities.

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC SURVEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH 2018-19 (Part I) 

Himachal Pradesh Forest Eco- systems Climate Proofing Project: 

Himachal Pradesh Forest with the assistance of Germany (KfW) is being implemented in Chamba and Kangra districts of the State for the period of 7 years w.e.f. 2015-16. The main objective of this project is the rehabilitation, protection and sustainable use of the selected forest eco systems in Himachal Pradesh to increase and secure the resilience of forest eco systems against climate change and ensure flow of forest based products and other services, which benefit the forest dependent communities.

Himachal Pradesh Forest Eco systems Management and Livelihood Improvement Project:

for 8 years (2018-19 to 2025-26) has been started with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (J.I.C.A.).The project will be implemented in Bilaspur, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti districts and tribal areas of Pangi and Bharmour Sub-divisions of Chamba districts withProject headquarter at Kullu (Shamshi), district Kullu and Regional office atRampur, district Shimla. 

 

The objectives of the project are to conserve the forest and mountain eco system and improve livelihood of the forest and pasture dependent communities by increasing forest cover, density and productive potential using scientific and modern forest management practices; enhancing biodiversity and forest ecosystem conservation and to reduce pressure/ stress on forest resources by providing the village communities with alternative livelihood opportunity.

"Sustainable Livelihoods of Agriculture -Dependent Rural Communities" (S.L.A.D.R.C.) programme is being implemented in district Sirmaur, under National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India with the total financial outlay of `20.00 crore. This project is being implemented through National Implementing Agency NABARD in collaboration with Agriculture, Horticulture and IPH Departments. 

 

Creation of Model Eco Villages-  

An Environmentally Sound Sustainable Community Development Programme in Himachal Pradesh. It will be based on the values of "care of the earth and of people". Environmentally sustainable and ecologically oriented eco villages shall be focused towards the perspective of developing low impact lifestyles as to reduce the “ecological footprint” by as much as 50 percent of the base assessment from launch of the scheme.

Setting up bio-methanation plant at Kufri, Shimla: The department is setting up 2.5 MTPD bio-methanation plant using horse dung/biodegradable waste from hotels and residential areas to generate biogas/bio CNG on turnkey and end to end basis (Waste collection till disposal) at Kufri, Shimla. The total budgetary provision for this plant is `1.40 crore against which `30.00 lakh have been earmarked for the year 2018-19.

INDUSTRIES: 

 The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DIPP), Government of India has accorded final approval for setting up of two State of Art Industrial Area at Pandoga District Una and Kandrori, District Kangra under Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (MIIUS).

Sericulture: 14 silk yarn reeling units have been set up in private sector i.e.district Kangra and Bilaspur five each, in Hamirpur, Mandi, Una and Sirmaur one each with the assistance of Government.

MINING: 

Six Cement Plants M/s ACC Ltd. at Barmana, District Bilaspur (two units), M/s Ambuja Cements Ltd. At Kashlog District Solan (two units), M/s Ultratech Cement (earliar J.P. Himachal Cement) at Baga Bhalag (one unit) and M/s CCI at Rajban District Sirmaur (one unit) are already in operation.

Establishment of M/s Harish Cement (Grasim); The India Cements Ltd, Gumma-Rohana, Distt Shimla and M/s Lafarge India Ltd Alsindi, Mandi are underway.

The government has also granted prospecting licences to M/s Associated Cement Companies Ltd. (Dhara Badhu, Sundernagar), M/s Dalmia Cements (Karaili-Kothi-Sal-Bagh, Tehsil Sunni, Shimla), Ambuja Cement (Arki), Reliance Cementation Company(Chopal), Asian Cement Company (Arki.)

POWER: The State of Himachal Pradesh has an estimated Hydro Potential of 27,436 MW out of which 24,000 MW has been assessed as harnessable while the Government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to forgo balance potential in lieu of safe guarding the environment and to maintain ecological as well as protect various social concerns.

Allotment of Hydro Projects: Dugar Hydroelectric Project (HEP) (449) MW located in Chamba District on river Chenab have been allotted to National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jangi-Thopan- Powari HEP (780 MW) located in District Kinnaur on river Satluj alloted to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL).

Solar Projects: Berra Dol Solar Power Project, a 5 MW pilot solar project, is being developed by HPPCL in District Bilaspur of Himachal Pradesh. 3 Solar Projects viz Jahu, Hamirpur (4 MW), Bhogpur Simbal wala (1 MW), Nand Solar project (5 MW) commissioned in the state.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY): Centrally sponsered scheme launched on 3rd December, 2014 for the electrification of rural households, separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders, strengthening and augmentation of Sub-Transmission and Distribution (ST & D) infrastructure in rural areas, including metering at distribution transformers, feeders and consumers end. The core objective is to ensure reliable and quality power supply in rural areas.

PRADHAN MANTRI SAHAJ BIJLI HAR GHAR YOJNA (SAUBHAGYA): launched on 11 th October, 2017 to ensure last mile connectivity and electricity connection to all remaining households in the country.

Computerized Billing and Accounting Package (IT Package) was implemented under the ‘Accelerated Power Development and Reform Program’ launched by Ministry of Power. The award was placed on M/S HCL Info systems Noida for an amount of ` 30.58 crore.

Smart Grid Pilot Project at Kala Amb, H.P. .HPSEB Ltd. is implementing Smart Grid Pilot Project at Kala Amb. The work has been awarded to the

consortium of M/s Alstom T&D India Ltd. (now M/s GE T&D India Ltd.) and M/s Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd. M/S PGCIL has been appointed as Adviser cum Consultancy services provider.

New Projects:- The Government of Himachal Pradesh has allotted Sai Kothi-I (15 MW), Sai Kothi-II (16.50 MW), Devi Kothi (16 MW), Hail (18 MW), HEPs in Chamba District to HPSEB Ltd. for implementation.

Integrated Kashang HEP (243 MW):- on Kashang and Kerang Streams, tributaries of the river Sutlej in Kinnaur.

Sainj HEP (100 MW):-on river Sainj, a tributary of River Beas in Kullu

Sawra Kuddu HEP(111 MW):- on the Pabbar River in Shimla District near Rohru.

Shongtong Karcham HEP (450 MW):- on Satluj in Kinnaur.

Chanju HEP-III (48MW) and Deothal Chanju HEP (30 MW):Chanju HEP-III (48MW) on Chanju stream which is a tributary Baira and Sieul of Ravi basin. Deothal Chanju HEP (30 MW) on Deothal stream, a tributary of Baira of Ravi basin in Chamba.

Renuka ji Dam HEP (40 MW): Renukaji Dam project, conceived as a drinking water supply scheme for the National Capital Territory of Delhi, envisages construction of 148 metre high rock fill dam on river Giri at Dadahu in Sirmaur district and a power house at toe of Dam.The project has been declared as “National Project” by Govt. of India.

Surgani Sundla HEP (48 MW): The scheme has been envisaged to use the tail water of Baira Suil HEP.

Dhamwari Sunda HEP (70 MW): in District Shimla

Thana Plaun HEP (191 MW):Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam of 107 m high on river Beas in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh.

Nakthan HEP (460 MW): Kullu

Kishau Multipurpose Project (660 MW):across River Tons (a tributary of River Yamuna).

Solar Projects: HPPCL has set up a 5 MW Berra Dol solar power plant, near Shri Naina Devi Ji Shrine in District Bilaspur. The work was awarded to M/s Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. HPPCL intends to set up another solar power plant of 10 MW capacity at Aghlor in Distt. Una.

Railways: There are only two narrow gauge railway lines connecting Shimla with Kalka (96 Km.) and Jogindernagar with Pathankot(113 Km.) and one 33 Km. broad gauge railway line from Nangal Dam to Charuru in District Una upto December,2018.

Schemes for Road Transport:

i) Green Card Scheme:- 25 percent discount in fare, if the journey under taken by passenger is of 50 km. The cost of this card is `50 and having its validity for two years.

ii) Smart Card Scheme:The cost of this card is `50 and having its validity for two years. This card having 10 percent discount infare.

iii) Samman Card Scheme: for the senior citizen of the age of the 60 years or more. Under this scheme, the discount of 30 percent in fare is allowed in ordinary buses.

Sarathi and Vahan: Department of Transport has implemented web-based software’s viz. Sarathi for Driving license and Vahan for vehicle registration, tax collection and issuance of permits in all the Registering & Licensing Authority wherein applicants can apply online for Driving License and vehicle related services.

Tourism Sector: 6.6% Contribution to the State GDP

Ropeway project: Bhunter to Bijli Mahadev Usha Breco Chamunda Devi Ropeway Pvt. Ltd.

Nai Raahein Nai Manzilein: Eco–Tourism Project at Janjehli Disrtict Mandi, Paragliding Destination in Bir-Billing Distric Kangra,Ski Destination at Chansal Disrtict Shimla and Larji Project District Kinnaur are being implemented in the first phase of “Nai Raahein Nai

Manzilein” scheme.

Education: According to 2011 census Himachal Pradesh has a literacy rate of 82.80 percent. 89.53 for males and 75.93 percent for females.

Atal Adarsh Vidyaly Yojna: launched in Barthin (Jhandutta) District Bialspur. Ten Aadarsh Vidyalya will be started from 03.12.2018.

Herbal Gardens : Jogindernagar (District Mandi), Neri (District Hamirpur), Dumreda District Shimla) and Jangal Jhalera (Bilaspur) are functioning for propagating and conserving medicinal plants.

SUMMARY OF ECONOMIC SURVEY OF HIMACHAL PRADESH 2018-19 (Part I)