India 2018

States and Union Territories 609
75°.47' and 79°. 4 1 East longitude. This wonderful land inhabited by people of
various castes and religions groups, is also called as “Dev Bhumi: the abode of
gods and goddesses”. Himachal drives its name from the Himalayas, literally
means “land of snowy mountains”. The territory of this state can be divided
into three zones, Outer Himalayas or the Shivaliks, Inner Himalayas or Mid-
Mountains and the Greater Himalayas or Alpine Zone. The entire state is
punctuated with stone as well as wood temples. The rich culture and traditions
have made Himachal a unique world in itself. The shadowy valleys, rugged
crags, glaciers, gigantic pines, roaring rivers and exquisite flora and fauna
compose the symphony that is forever vibrant Himachal.
Himachal Pradesh has a very eventful career. On 15 th April 1948, the Pradesh
was born as a result of the integration of some thirty erstwhile Princely Hill
States; twenty six Shimla Hill States and four Punjab Hill States. At the time of
its inception, the total area of Himachal Pradesh was 27,018 sq. km. with a
population of 9, 35,000. On the recommendations of Punjab Boundary
Commission, the Government of India, while reorganizing Punjab into two
separate states of Punjab and Haryana decided to integrate the Punjab hill
areas of the districts of Kangra, Shimla, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, Nalagarh area
of Ambala district, parts of Una tehsil of Hoshiarpur district, and of Pathankot
tehsil of Gurdaspur district with Himachal Pradesh. The integration came about
on November 1, 1966 and Himachal’s territorial area increased to 55,673 sq.km.
The new state was inaugurated in Shimla in 1971. With this, emergence of
Himachal Pradesh as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union.
Agriculture
Agriculture provides direct employment to about 70 per cent of the main
working population of the state. Income from agriculture and allied sectors
accounts for nearly 22.1 per cent of the total state domestic product. Out of the
total geographical area of 55, 673 sq. km., area of operational holding is about
9.79 lakh hectares.
The agro-climatic conditions in the state are congenial for the production of
cash crops like seed potato, off-season vegetables and ginger. In order to increase
the production of food grains, emphasis has been laid on distribution of seeds
of high yielding varieties to the farmers. “Mukhya Mantri Jaivik Kheti Purskar
Yojna” has been started to boost the morale of the farmers. Himachal Pradesh
has bagged “Krishi Karmanya Puraskar” on national level for the consecutive
years in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. For the welfare of farmers, 2,061 bank
branches in the state are implementing Kisan Credit Card Scheme. “Mukhya
Mantri Khet Sanrakshan Yojna” was launched to protect the farms from wild
animals by providing solar fencing. Subsidy on anti-hail nets has been increased
from 50 per cent to 80 per cent.
Horticulture
Himachal Pradesh is called the “Fruit Bowl” of the country. Horticulture plays
an important role in the agrarian economy. Over 2.27 lakh hectare area has