Uttarakhand

Last Updated: November 2009


The state of Uttarakhand, formed out of 13 hilly districts from the state of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000, is strategically located and forms part of the northern boundary of the country. The state occupies an area of 53,483 sq km and has a population of 8.5 million. Uttarakhand has diverse geographical features ranging from snow-capped mountain peaks in the north to tropical forests in the south; its climate and vegetation is equally diverse. It is one of the five states in India to be declared a world heritage biodiversity site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The state’s administrative and legislative capital is Dehradun.

The gross state domestic product (GSDP) at current prices in 2006–07 was US$ 6567 million, while the net state domestic product (NSDP) in 2006–07, at current prices was US$ 5,717 million. The primary sector which includes agriculture, cultivation, mining activities contributes 21 percent to the GSDP.

The state has transformed from an essentially agrarian state into a hub of industrial activity. During 2005–2006, the state successfully developed three Integrated Industrial Estates (IIEs) at Haridwar, Pantnagarand Sitarganj, PharmaCity at Salequi, Information Technology Park at Sahastradhararoad (Dehradun) and Growth Centre at Siggadi (Kotdwar). In 2007–2008, Uttarakhand also saw the development of 20 private/joint/co-operative sector industrial sectors in public private partnership (PPP) mode. The state is being developed as an “energy state” to tap its huge hydro electric power potential of 20,000 MW and the state intends to increase its capacity to 5,000 MW hydro electric power by 2011-12.

The state is essentially driven by the tertiary sector and tourism, which is one of the key sectors, contributes majorly to the state’s economy. The tourism policy of the state aims at placing Uttarakhand on the tourism map of the world as one of the leading tourist destinations, and to make the name synonymous with tourism.

State Presentation (September 2009)
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