Uttarakhand

• 06 Jul 2022

Effect of Climate Change on Flowers

Why in News?

Recently, Dr. S.K. Singh said that due to climate change in Uttarakhand, not only the flowers have started blooming before the scheduled time, but their colours are also changing.

Key Points

• According to the scientists of the Botanical Survey of India, 4.5 lac such plants are found in the whole world, in which flowers bloom. Out of these 40,000 species of flora are found in India. There are 20 thousand species in which flowers bloom on time. The process of blooming of flowers starts only in certain temperature and environment.
• There are some flowers that indicate the arrival of the seasons, but now due to climate change, the time of flower blooming is also seeing a change.
• According to Dr. S.K Singh, Brahma Kamal, the state flower found in the high Himalayan regions of the state, has also started blooming before the scheduled time. At the same time, in the Valley of Flowers, things are coming out about flowers blooming before time.
• Due to climate change and increase in temperature, now the colors of flowers are also changing. According to an article published in the American science journal Current Biology, chemical changes are also being seen in the pigments of flowers. The pigment itself absorbs ultraviolet rays. The maximum effect of ultraviolet rays is being seen on the flowers of high Himalayan regions.
• The research also revealed that the depletion of the ozone layer due to excessive carbon emissions and the arrival of more ultraviolet rays on the earth has also affected the pollen grains of flowers. This has also been a reason for the change in the time and colour of the flowers.

State Level Committee Constituted to Expedite Tourism Projects

Why in News?

On July 5, 2022, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while announcing the possibility of investment in the hospitality sector, said that a state-level committee would be formed to expedite tourism projects.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister made this announcement during a discussion on the possibility of investment in the hospitality sector in the state by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council (UTDB) with the aim of promoting the tourism sector and investors in a hotel located on Rajpur Road.
• This state level committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram. In this committee, officers of Finance, Housing, Public Works Department, Police, Pollution Control Board and other related departments will be included as members.
• Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that there is immense potential for tourism in the state under which the prices of air fuel have been reduced by 18 percent. After three months, there will be another interaction with all tourism investors.
• Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram said that the policies formulated by the government for investors will be simplified.
• Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that there is immense potential for investment in tourism once tourism gets the status of an industry. The state government aims to invest Rs 5000 crore in the tourism sector in the next 5 years.

Uttarakhand Achieved Leaders Category in Startup Ranking-2021

Why in News?

In the recently released Startup Ranking of States-2021 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Uttarakhand has secured the Leaders category, while Gujarat and Karnataka have got the ranking of the best performing state.

Key Points

• Uttarakhand has moved up a notch in the startup rankings due to the reforms being done by the government to promote startups. In order to establish the innovation idea as a startup, the facilities are being improved by the government, due to which the state is getting success in the startup ranking of the Centre.
• It is worth mentioning that Uttarakhand was ranked in the emerging category in the ranking of the year 2018 and aspiring in 2019.
• Industry Director Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal said that the startup rankings are continuously improving due to the policies of the government. The government is also providing technical support along with financial incentives to recognized startups.
• The government has recognized 128 startups on innovation ideas in health, information technology, food processing, education and other sectors. Under the state's Startup Policy, 2018, financial incentives are also being provided by the government to startups to set up businesses, including SGST reimbursement, 100 per cent waiver in stamp duty, assistance of Rs 1 to Rs 5 lakh for patenting the product, 10 to 10 to startups. A monthly allowance of up to Rs.15,000 is also being given.
• The government has recognized 13 incubation centers to set innovation ideas in business. Where the startup has the facility of machinery, technical support for preparing the project. With the opening of incubation centers in the state, the state does not have to go to other areas to make startups a project.
• In order to promote startups, the government has implemented the startup policy in the year 2018 . Now the government is preparing to amend the policy to enhance facilities to encourage investment in startups and incubation centers.

Harela Festival

Why in News?

On July 4, 2022, Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal said in a meeting held at Manthan Auditorium in the Forest Headquarters premises that like previous years, Harela festival would be celebrated across the state with gaiety on July 16 this year too.

Key Points

• The Forest Minister said that this time the plants will be selected according to the geographical and environmental conditions of the area. For this, plants and techniques will be made available by the Forest Department.
• During this, the Forest Department has set a target of planting more than 15 lakh saplings across the state. Under this, for the first time more than 50 percent fruit trees will be planted on this festival.
• Emphasis will be laid on increasing the participation of schools, colleges and forest panchayats on Harela festival. After planting saplings, they should remain alive and in the coming times, efforts will be made for this to benefit the society.
• With a view to strengthen the forest panchayats, this time fruitful plantation is being promoted, so that in future the livelihood of the people there can be linked to them.
• The Forest Minister said that Police Forest and Mera Van would be developed across the state. Under this, this responsibility will be assigned to schools, colleges and all departments. People will be able to plant saplings in these gardens in the name of themselves, relatives and the deceased. The responsibility of keeping these plants alive and grooming will also be given to the person concerned.