26th, Sept, 2023

Topic: Chief Minister launches website & promo of Pre-World Cup Paragliding event

 

Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.

Importance for  Prelims: Current events of Himachal Pradesh.

Significance for the Mains Exam:

PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III: UNIT III: Types of tourism: religious, adventure, heritage, Important tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh.

 

What is the news?

• Today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu unveiled the website and promo for the Pre-World Cup Paragliding competition in Bir-Billing, Kangra, on October 26, 2023.
• Till now, 159 people from 28 nations have registered for the Billing Paragliding Association and Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation event.
• Paragliders from the US, Australia, New Zealand, France, Sweden, Germany, China, South Africa, Belgium, the UAE, Iran, Kazakhstan, Norway, Nepal, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Canada, and the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy paragliding teams will compete and be ranked according to international standards.

The event is approved:

• The Federation of Aeronautical International Paragliding World Cup Commission and Aero Club India, the paragliding regulatory organisation, approved the event. As safety is a primary issue, two Army Adventure Wing and Indian Air Force Adventure Wing teams with specialist rescue teams will respond quickly to unexpected emergencies. Helicopters will also be available to enhance safety.

 

Chief Minister said:

• The ‘Paragliding Capital of India’ Bir-Billing has a global reputation in paragliding, the Chief Minister stated. Bir-Billing is well known for trekking, mountain biking, spiritual studies, etc. Famous paragliders have always been drawn to this amazing resort for its stunning views and great flying conditions.
• The Chief Minister said the government wanted to make Kangra district the Tourism Capital of the State and that the Pre-World Cup, which featured 28 countries, would strengthen the government’s promotion of adventure sports like water sports and other adventure-based activities in the region.

(Source: HP Government)

 

Topic: Vibrant Village Program helps increasing pace of development

 

Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains are essential.

Importance for  Prelims: Economic and social development – sustainable development poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, etc.

Significance for the Mains Exam:

PAPER-V: GENERAL STUDIES-II: UNIT III: Various policies framed by the Government for the socioeconomic development in Himachal Pradesh.

 

What is the news?

• On Monday, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla met with people in Nako and Leo villages during his three-day tour to Kinnaur district under the Vibrant Village programme. He was joined by Lady Governor Janaki Shukla.
• The Governor told Leo residents that 55 Kinnaur villages are part of the Vibrant Village Programme, which adopted different measures to accelerate development. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also requested he visit Vibrant Villages, border villages. I planned to visit these locations, but recent heavy rains forced me to postpone. I came here to talk to you, said Sh. Shukla.
• He stated he will do everything necessary to meet local road requests. Governor added, “If there are no objections of the Honourable Court regarding Nautor and Forest Rights Act, then efforts will be made to resolve the matters through talks at the appropriate level so that people can get due benefits”.
• The Governor visited Fulsum Khandi and Nirup Self Help Group’s National Rural Livelihood Mission produce exhibition in Leo village.

About Vibrant Villages Programme:

• On February 15, 2023, the government approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to develop select villages in 46 blocks in 19 districts of abutting northern border states Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh.
• In selected villages, the programme promotes tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, and cooperative societies for agriculture/horticulture, medicinal plant/herb cultivation, and livelihood generation. The interventions include road connecting to isolated villages, housing, village infrastructure, electricity, including renewable energy, television, and telecom. The scheme aims to incentivize residents to stay in selected areas.
• Under the Border Area Development Programme, works/projects for identified gaps in essential infrastructure in road & bridges, health, education, agriculture, sports, drinking water & sanitation, Anganwadi, community centre, small-scale industries, and all census villages/towns, semi-urban, and urban areas within 0-10 km (aerial distance) from the first habitation at International Boundary (IB) in 16 States & 2 UTs abutting land borders have
• VVP covers some villages in the northern border blocks of Kinnaur and Lahul & Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. VVP covers some villages in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Rudraprayag blocks bordering the north.

(Source: HP Government)