Travel Map of Uttaranchal

Category :- All India Travel Tourism > States> Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal is the 27th state of the Indian Union. It came into existence on 9th November 2000, when it was formally separated from the parent state of Uttar Pradesh. This charming hilly state consists of two regions, Garhwal in the west and Kumaon in the east. Both the regions are blessed with exceptional matural beauty, and are studded with stunning snow covered peaks, which rank among the most beautiful mountains of the inner Himalayas. The antiquity of the state can be traced back to 2nd century B.C., when the region was under the domain of Kuninda’s, the central Himalayan tribe, who practisedearly form of Shaivism.

Uttaranchal is situated in the northwest portion of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. It occupies 1.73% of India’s total land area with 51,125 sq. km. It has a population of about 6.0 million at 94.4 per sq. km. It borders Tibet, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, and the UP plains districts. Dehra Dun, the state’ capital is about 255 km away from India's capital, New Delhi.

Uttaranchal consits of three major physiographic units, viz. Siwalik or Outer Himalayas, Himachal or Lesser Himalayas and Himadri or Greater Himalayas. The region is immensely rich with 4000 species of plants, having remarkable diversity in it's natural vegetation by virtue of its being at a great range of elevation. In addition to its' climatic variations, particularly in temperature and precipitation associated with the alignment and altitudes of ranges and nature of valleys, determine the altitudinal growth and variety of vegetation.

The economic viability of the new state is worrying if anything in the present circumstances. Though it is endowed with rich natural resources, it is unable to tap them to its advantages. The result is that about 70% of its population lives under the poverty line as against the national average of 46%. Subsistence agriculture supports about 75% of the population while 71% of the land holdings are less than 1 hectare in size. To put this pathetic state of affairs in perspective, a survey was conducted recently which found that about 80% of the soldiers active at the Kargil front joined the armed forces to escape from the poverty at their home state.