COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION HOAX
Rampant diversion, tardy reforestation in Himachal
COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION HOAX : Rampant diversion, tardy reforestation in Himachal

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India reveals blatant procedural and legal non-compliance in respect of compensatory afforestation work in Himachal Pradesh. Himanshu Upadhyaya summarises the findings.
#Environmental Regulation #Forests #Government
Apr 2014
CARBON TRADING
/himachal-environment
CARBON TRADING : /himachal-environment
The BioCarbon Fund promises to plant trees across a swathe of Himachal Pradesh, amidst questions about the environmental value and fairness of the program. Sudhirendar Sharma reports.
#Energy #Forests #Environment
Sep 2011
RENUKA DAM
/renuka-environment
RENUKA DAM : /renuka-environment
Its demand for water is ever-growing, and its usage wasteful. Using its political and economic power, however, Delhi is quenching its thirst by extracting it from places near and far. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports on the proposed Renuka Dam.
#Water #Environment
Jul 2009
ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Lessons up the hill
ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS : Lessons up the hill
An empowered committee of the Supreme Court calls for the blacklisting a construction firm in Himachal Pradesh, after noting that state officials probably connived with the developer in violating conservation and development laws. Kanchi Kohli reports.
#Environmental Regulation #Forests #Environment
Oct 2008
HIMALAYAN TOURISM
Ski village plans hit the skids
HIMALAYAN TOURISM : Ski village plans hit the skids
The Expert Appraisal Committee reviewing plans for a large hill toursim project in Himachal Pradesh has taken a critical view of it. Responding to petitions from locals and conservationists, the EAC called for further studies of the project's likely impacts. Kanchi Kohli reports.
#Environment
Apr 2008
FOREST LAND USE
New facts emerge in McLeodganj case before CEC
FOREST LAND USE : New facts emerge in McLeodganj case before CEC
Recently, the Central Empowered Committee once again heard the strange case of a hotel coming up on land sanctioned for a parking lot and bus stand in Himachal Pradesh. Kanchi Kohli reports on the many ways in which officials are trying to get this illegal use regularised.
#Forests #Environment
Oct 2007
CONVERTING FOREST LANDS
Passing the forest buck
CONVERTING FOREST LANDS : Passing the forest buck
A series of intra-government transfers of forest lands turns its management and use over to private developers, completely bypassing the original public interest behind conservation of woods. Kanchi Kohli reports on a McLeodganj case that may hold the fate of similar efforts. (also see Part II)
#Forests #Environment
Apr 2007
ECONOMY/ENERGY
Build first, sell next, approvals later
ECONOMY/ENERGY : Build first, sell next, approvals later
The private sector Baspa II hydel power project went live over two and half years ago and has been selling power to the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board. Lack of regulatory approvals and determination of final wholesale tariff has not deterred the company from raising money in capital markets. Himanshu Upadhyaya finds out more.
#Energy #Public Funds #Economy
Feb 2006
An election-year scarcity
: An election-year scarcity
Severe shortages of power and water are predicted for the coming months in much of the North. Himanshu Thakkar looks beyond the 'natural phenomena' that are blamed.
#Energy #Water #Environment
Oct 2004
Mountain Vox
: Mountain Vox
Lalitha Sridhar reviews Voices from the Mountain, Oral Testimonies from Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.
#Environment #Reviews #UTTARAKHAND
Jun 2003
  • Population : 7.45 m (2019 est)
  • Area : 55,673 sq.km.
  • Density : 134/sq. km.
  • Sex Ratio : 972 (2011)
  • Child Sex Ratio : 909 (2011)
  • Literacy : 86.60% (2020)
  • Forest Cover : 27.72% (2019)
  • Lok Sabha MPs : 4
  • Rajya Sabha MPs : 3