Uttarakhand is outperforming a number of developed States in the country, said Governor Dr KK Paul, in his lecture, “The Development Path for Uttarakhand — Vision 2020 —Challenges and Opportunities” at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, on Sunday.
The seminar was organised by Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay.
“Its average GDP growth is one of the highest in the country. During the 10th plan period, Uttarakhand grew at an average of 8.8 per cent while UP is only 4.6 per cent.” During his address Dr Paul outlined the achievements made by Uttarakhand since its inception and also spoke about challenges faced by the State.
According to the Quick survey estimates published by the Department of Statistics, Government of Uttarakhand, per capita income of Uttarakhand grew up to more than `90,000/- in 2012-13, which is way above the national level and even exceeds the estimates of States like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. He added that the percentage of people living below the poverty line came down from from 32.7% in 2004-05 to 11.3% in 2012.
Though the State had reached the “take-off” stage, it is faced with several challenges. Seventy five per cent of the State’s women are literate but there are several health related issues particularly, anemia and malnutrition and protein deficiency in women and children, which has been hampering their growth.
“Health and Education are more important of the challenges as once we have dealt with these, people are physically, mentally and intellectually ready to take on other challenges,” stressed the Governor, adding that the condition of existing roads needed to be improved while new roads were required to improve accessibility in the State.” lack of accessibility is leading to unemployment and migration. If travel time is reduced and road networks made more hospitable, besides improving economy they will have direct positive impact on the tourism. The Governor said that if the challenge of creating jobs in higher and remote areas has to be met , then stress has to be laid on road connectivity, skill development and developing spheres like handicrafts, cash crops, tea cultivation, fruit growing and silk production.
The Governor also laid emphasis on the need for developing organic and herbal farming, which is a high-returns area. He also said that Uttarakhand, specially Dehradun, should place itself firmly on the path of developing floriculture. “Uttarakhand can also be an ideal destination for setting up of Herbal Export Zones (HEZs) and Herbal Farm Clusters”, he said adding that these export zones and farm clusters of the `Devbhoomi’ would also create employment opportunities.
Talking about the sources of power, the Dr Paul said that besides the stand alone solar systems in remote areas of the State, mini and micro hydel projects would be far more useful on the basis of decentralised distribution and generation. It would also be cost effective.
In his address, Tarun Vijay said that environment, education and spirituality could help Uttarakhand in reaching new heights. He said that to strengthen women further, a university for women by the name “Ma Nanda Devi” should be set up in the State.
Other speakers were Prof Pradipto Banerji, Director of IIT, Roorkee. He said that the ecology and environment could be protected to a large extent by following traditional architecture.
Prof HS Dhami, VC of Kumaon University, spoke about the economic development of the State .