Uttaranchal - Dilemma of Plenties and Scarcities

Uttaranchal, the land of Gods and Goddesses, is believed to be a peace-loving region from time immemorial. Its peaceful nature was also seen during the movement for a separate state, which had lasted about five decades. The land of Uttaranchal is unique in the sense that diversity in the terrain and landscape are highly imposing. On the other hand, its people and their socio-cultural identity vary from place to place, which is directly and indirectly dependent on the nature of landscape. The Panch Badris, Panch Kedars, Panch Prayags and many more spots reflect the holiness of the entire region. The diverse socio-economic activities, harsh traditional beliefs, and hard working potential further change the entire scenario of the state. Only the need of the hour is to cultivate the new ideas regarding the sustainable development of the state. What had appeared during the past, pertaining to the socio-economic development, needs radical changes in policies, planning, and beliefs. Further, due to its harsh climatic conditions, rigorous terrain, and distinct identity, as a part of UP state, development could not take place and even today the state is believed to be one of the poorer states among the poor. This book, Uttaranchal: Dilemma of Plenties and Scarcities is an effort to present an account of the resources of the region, society, culture, and the interrelationship between the people and nature. Efforts have also been made to elaborate the possibilities of sustainable development through implementation of rational planning and adaptation of a holistic approach. The whole study reveals that if the time-bound policies and proper implementation of the planning is undertaken, this state will progress and secure a respectful place in the federal structure of India. There are eleven chapters on various topics, covering all aspects related with the new state of Uttaranchal.

Vishwambhar Prasad Sati (b. 1966) did M.A. in Geography with First Class from Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttaranchal, in 1989 and obtained a doctorate in 1992. From 1989 to 1992, he worked as ‘Field Investigator’ in a project funded by Department of Forest and Environment. Government of Uttar Pradesh and qualified in the ‘National Eligibility Test (NET)’. In 1993-94 he was Research Fellow in the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. He has published more than 50 research articles in national and international journals and newspapers. He is corresponding member of International Geographical Union (IGU) and Life Member of many other research societies. Presently, he is working on the three major projects being Project Director of an ICSSR funded project, Principal Investigator of a UGC funded major project, Principal Investigator of an MP Council of Science of Technology funded project. He has already completed one project. He has published five books on, ‘Development of Tourism in India’, ‘Environment and Pollution’ in Hindi, ‘Environment and Law’ in Hindi, ‘Tourist Places of MP’, and a book on Geography for competition purposes. In 2000, he presented a research paper in the 29th session of International Geography Congress in Seoul (Korea) where he chaired the session on ‘Contradictions between Economic Development and Environmental Management’. In 2002, he presented a research paper in the International Geographical Union Regional Congress, Durban, South Africa. Kamlesh Kumar (b. 1945) received his Ph.D. degree on ‘Himalaya: A Study in Population Geography’ from Meerut University in 1976. He has published many research papers on Population, Environment, Development, Geography, Agriculture, etc. Eight Ph.D. theses have been produced under his supervision. He was Principal Investigator in DoEn project entitled, ‘Eco-Development Planning in the Mandakini Basin of Garhwal Himalaya for Economic Upliftment and Environment Management’. He composed ‘The Holy Himalayas: A Geographical Interpretation of Garhwal Himalaya’, one of the masterpiece reference books. He is currently Professor or Geography in HNB Garhwal University.