Paragraph 4

Most people in Himachal Pradesh depend for their livelihood on agriculture, pastoralism, transhumance (seasonal herding) horticulture, and forestry. However, the government of Himachal Pradesh has encouraged the development and dispersal of manufacturing, with different towns mostly in the southern part of the state often specializing in the manufacture of particular goods. The town of Nahan, for instance, is known for its production of agricultural implements, turpentine, and resin, while television sets, fertilizer, beer, and liquor have been among the major manufactures of Solan. Meanwhile, Rajban is identified with cement production, and Parwanoo is recognized for its processed fruits, tractor parts, and electronics. Shimla is also known for its manufacture of electrical goods, while paper and hardboard products generally have come from Baddi and Barotiwala. Alongside the growth of heavier industry, thousands of artisan based small scale manufacturing units have remained in operation across the state. The state has implemented a series of development plans based on the utilization of its abundant hydropower potential and mineral and forest resources. Himachal Pradesh produces a significant portion of India’s hydroelectric power. Existing hydropower plants include a station on the Ulh River at Jogindarnagar, the massive Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River, the Pong Dam on the Beas River, and the Giri Dam on the Giri River. Himachal Pradesh also has embarked on joint venture hydropower projects with the central government, such as the large Nathpa Jhakri project in Shimla district. To combat a serious soil erosion problem in the Siwaliks and to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, the state has launched a reforestation program. It also has instituted stricter enforcement of environmental laws. The basic governmental structure of Himachal Pradesh, like that of most other Indian states, is determined by the national constitution of 1950. The state government is led by a governor, appointed by the president of India. The Council of Ministers, headed by a chief minister and responsible to the directly elected Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), assists and advises the governor. The state is divided into a number of districts, each of which is headed by a deputy commissioner. The districts, in turn, comprise several subdivisions, which embrace several more levels of local administration. The smallest (and most numerous) administrative unit is the village. Since the late 20th century, Himachal Pradesh has made great efforts to expand education. Consequently, there has been a remarkable rise in the number of primary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions and a corresponding increase in enrollment at all levels

Scroll to Top