Himachal Pradesh

At the time of Independence, Himachal was formed as a “C” class State by merger of 33 hilly States of North-Western Himalayas on 15th April, 1948. Passenger and goods services were nationalized in the Pradesh in July, 1949. During the year 1958, a Corporation, “Mandi-Kullu Road Transport Corporation” was floated jointly by the Govt. of Punjab, Himachal and Railways under the Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950 basically to operate on the joint routes in the States of Punjab and Himachal. With the re-organization of Punjab State in 1966, few hilly areas of Punjab were merged in Himachal and operational areas of Mandi-Kullu Road Transport Corporation came entirely in the expanded State of Himachal. On 02.10.1974, Himachal Govt. Transport was merged with Mandi-Kullu Road Transport Corporation and was renamed what even today is known as Himachal Road Transport Corporation.

Growth

After the formation of Himachal on 15th July, 1948 the network of roads had received top-most priority ofthe Government. At present the road network is widely spread in Himachal. In 1974 total routes operated by HRTC were 379 which have grown to 1967 in 2007-2008 and the fleet strength has grown from 733 to 1881 in 2009-2010.

Bus remains the sole mode of passenger transportation in the state as railways have a negligible presence in the State. The narrow gauge lines connecting Pathankot with Jogindernagar and Kalka with Shimla are so slow moving that a very small percentage of traffic is carried by them at present; thereby leaving the onus of carrying the passenger traffic on to bus transport.

Main facilities are Provided by HRTC

• Bus Timings and Fare (poor website, not working correct correctly)
• AC Volvo Buses Timings and Fare
• COURIER SERVICE (HIMDOOT)
• COMPUTERIZED ADVANCE RESERVATION (poor website, not working correct correctly)
• DISCOUNT SCHEMES
• Other Information

We Request to HRTC Department Please Correct COMPUTERIZED ADVANCE RESERVATION to reserve seat online.

Dear visitors You can also contact HRTC by email: hrtc85@gmail.com OR contact their Head office at SHIMLA on these phone no:

- Fax No. : 0177-2802717 EPBAX : 0177-2658031, 2658032, 2804016, 2650911, 2624582

Information src: http://www.himachal.gov.in/hrtc/

Chamba is one of the oldest Princely states in India, having been founded during the late 6th century. It is situated in the bosom of the Himalaya Mountains, and the boundaries are as follows: On the north-west and west, Jammu and Kashmir; on the north-east and east, Ladakh, Lahaul and Bara Bangahlaa; on the south-east and south, the districts of Kangra and Gurdaspur. The Ravi river flows through this district, and many hydroelectric generating stations have been developed here. Wild Life Sanctuaries in Chamba :

KALATOP KHAJJIAR SANCTUARY

This small sanctuary lies in the catchment of the Ravi River, and contains patches of good coniferous and Oak forests. A lovely bowl-shaped meadow at Khajjiar, with a lake and a ‘floating’ island, is a popular tourist spot. There is a ‘golden’ domed temple at the edge of this meadow, dedicated to the deity ‘Khajinag’, from whom the area derives its name.

SECHU TUAN NALA SANCTUARY

A very high altitude sanctuary with significant populations of Ibex, Musk deer, and Pheasants. Snow leopards are also reported from here.

THE KUGTI SANCTUARY

This sanctuary is rich in high-altitude Himalayan wildlife, and is one of the last homes of Himalayan tahr in Himachal Pradesh. It is also well-known as a source of many medicinal plants. Abundant water resources, many originating from glaciers, and a diverse topography add to the attraction of the area. To the west it is connected with Tundah Sanctuary by a forest corridor. There is an annual pilgrimage by thousands of people to the Mani Mahesh Temple inside the sanctuary.

THE TUNDAH SANCTUARY

A high altitude sanctuary with good, though disturbed, habitat for Himalayan tahr, Ibex and pheasants. The area also supports a small population of Musk deer. It is connected to Kugti Sanctuary by a forest corridor to the east..

THE GAMGUL SANCTUARY

A high-altitude sanctuary harbouring small populations of Musk deer, Himalayan tahr, and pheasants. This is the only sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh which has reported the presence of Kashmir stag, though none have been observed in the last few years. The sanctuary is under severe human pressure and is heavily grazed. Its northern boundary adjoins the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Read More About Wild Life Sanctuaries in Chamba >>

Himachal can be broadly divided by its main valley. The main ones are the Kangra valley, the Chamba valley, the Pangi valley, the Lahaul valley, the Spiti valley, the Kinnaur valley, the Parbati valley, The Giri valley and the Kullu valley. Shimla and the tract around it, dose not fall strictly in these valley divisions and lies off the waters of the river Sutlej.

There are four well developed core focus zones that draw the maximum visitor or act as base camps for most of Himachal – Shimla, Kullu and Manali, Dalhousie and Chamba, and Dharamshala and Palampur. In their own right they hold several draws and encompass a variety of sightseeing and adventure. They also act as pivots for a spectrum of off-beat excursions. A range of accommodation is a available in these areas – modern hotels close to city centres, resorts neatly meshed with nature and heritage properties that include colonial mansions and age old forts. The budgets they accommodate are also wide – shoestring, or velvet gloves.

Shimla

By Air: The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km from Shimla town and is connected to Delhi and Kullu. Taxi cabs are available.

By Rail: Shimla is connected by a broadgauge line up to Kalka. Then a narrow gauge line takes over for Shimla and covers 96 km of track. The journey between Kalka and Shimla takes about six hours and is one of the finest ways of enjoying the landscape. The quaint rail car, which runs on this stretch, takes about five hours. A luxury coach that accommodates six persons has recentely been introduced and can be attached to any train of your choice. The Shivalik Express is a deluxe train on this route. Alternative combinations – By train up to Delhi (375 km), Chandigarh (120 km), or Kalka (90 km) and then by road.

By Road: Shimla is connected by road to all major cities in north India. Taxi cabs for Shimla are available at Delhi, Chandigarh, Ambala and Kalka. Several state-run transport corporations including the Himachal Tourism Development Corporations ply regular and non air-conditioned buses from Delhi and Chandigarh. The Himachal Tourism Development Corporation also services the route. Private coaches (air-conditioned and non air-conditioned deluxe) are available at Delhi. Buses can also be chartered.

For the resorts located away from town the connections are by road and taxis are available.

Dharamshala and Palampur

By Air: The airport at Gaggal is 14 km from Dharamshala and 23 km from its twin town Mcleodganj. Palampur is 40 km away. Taxis are available.

By Rail: Pathankot is the closest broadgauge railhead and is 85 km from Dharamshala and 124 km from Palampur. Taxis are available. You can opt for the narrow gauge railway for a taste of the area. Called the Kangra Valley Railway it connects Pathankot to Jogindernagar. The station feeding Dharamshala is Kangra Mandir and the one for Palampur is Maranda.

By Road: Dharamshala is just off National Highway No. 20 and well linked to the region. Palampur is 38 km from Dharamshala and even independently is well linked.

An interesting variation of the standard can be made by taking the train from Delhi up to Jalandhar or Una and then traveling by road. En route you can visit the shrines of Chintpurni, Jawalamukhi and Kangra. The shrine of Naina Devi is also easily accessible if you opt for the Nangal railway station. The road distance from Jalandhar to Dharamshala is 165 km along this route, and to Palampur is 198 km.

Kullu and Manali

By Air: The airport at Bhuntar is the common base that feeds these towns. This is 10 km from Kullu and 50 km from Manali. Public transport buses and taxis are available for transfer.

By Road: Kullu and Manali are connected by an extensive network of road with the northen region. Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned deluxe coaches are run by the HRTC the HPTDC and by private sector operators. National Highway No. 21 runs through the valley and connects Chandigarh and Delhi.

Dalhousie and Chamba

By Air: The closest airport is at Gaggal near Dharamshala which is 103 km from Dalhousie and approximately the same distance from Chamba via the demanding Jot route; for the Banikhet route which has a milder ascent add another 60 km. Taxis are available.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Pathankot 85 km from Dalhousie and 120 km from Chamba . Taxis are available.

By Road: Both Dalhousie and Chamba are well connrcted by road. Taxis and regular coaches connect the towns.

Nahan, Paonta and Renuka (Sirmaur)

By Air: The closest airport is at Chandigarh.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Ambala and Kalka . Taxi’s are available.

By Road: From Ambala, Chandigarh & Kalka and Dehradoon. Regular bus service connect the towns.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Website >>

Himachal Pradesh is a state in the Punjab region in north-west India. Himachal Pradesh is spread over 21,629 sq mi (56,019 km²), and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on north, Punjab on west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on south, Uttarakhand on south-east and by Tibet, China on the east. The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is Region of snowy mountains.

Himachal Pradesh was also known as Deva Bhoomi (the land of the gods). The {{Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]] influence in the region dates back to the period before the Rigveda. After the Anglo Gorkha War, the British colonial government came into power. It was initially part of Punjab, except the Siba State of Punjab Hills which was under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh until 1857. In 1950 Himachal was declared as a union territory but after the State of Himachal Pradesh Act 1971, Himachal emerged as the 18th state of the Indian Union.

Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest per capita incomes of any state in India. Due to the abundance of perennial rivers, Himachal also sells hydro electricity to other states such as Delhi, Punjab & Rajasthan. The economy of the state is highly dependent on three sources: hydroelectric power, tourism and agriculture.

Hindus make up 95% of the state population, the most Hindu state (proportionally), in the country. According to a 2005 Transparency International survey, Himachal Pradesh is ranked the second-least corrupt state in the country after Kerala.

Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himachal_Pradesh

Read More: http://himachal.nic.in/welcome.asp

.. and More: http://himachal.nic.in/Depts.htm

District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has traditionally been the principal organ at the District level to oversee the implementation of different poverty alleviation programmes. The primary objective of DRDA scheme is to professionalize the DRDAs so that they are able to effectively manage the poverty alleviation programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development and interact effectively with other agencies.

DRDA Chamba Official website >>