HP Police seized 7 kg of cannabis in Kullu

Himachal Pradesh Police have seized seven kilograms of cannabis and arrested four foreign nationals in this connection from Kullu. Police said that they had seized the cannabis from the tent of the foreign nationals on Monday.
It is among the few places in India where cannabis, locally known as charas, has been cultivated without check. But the lure of high returns, not much labour in cultivating poppy and a drug trafficking cartel often traps innocent villagers to grow cannabis illegally.
Himachal News

New scheme for Trout farm owners

Trout farm owners in the state will no longer be at the mercy of private agents, as now they can directly send their fish to five-star hotels and bigger markets in Delhi.

The Centre has sanctioned a Rs 1-crore scheme for the marketing of the cold water fish. The Himachal Pradesh Aquaculture Fishing and Marketing Society received the first installment of Rs 50 lakh under the Post Harvest Infrastructure Development scheme on November 21.

Under the scheme, the government would be able to provide better storage and marketing infrastructure to the trout farm owners.

No bird flu in Shimla

The recent influx of a large number of migratory birds to the three main wetlands of Shimla has feared the local residents regarding bird flu which has affected many birds in China.

As millions of birds migrate to Shimla's wetlands from all over the world, the locals fear that bird flu, which has hit many parts of China, might spread in Shimla too.

Mahajan, Animal Husbandry Minister said that senior veterinary doctors have been briefed about this problem and the Government is taking various measures to prevent bird flu from entering Shimla.

Mountaineering institute in Kullu

Mountaineering institute is located 3 kms. on the left bank of river Beas towards Kulu. This Institute provide training courses, in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports. Tourists can visit an interesting showroom of the Institute.

Other adventurous sports activities like high altitude trekking, minor mountaineering, rock-climbing, skiing, are also organised. It is a popular base for trekking and mountaineering in summer and skiing in winter.
Himachal adventure

Kanwar Sanctuary in Kullu

Kanwar Sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. Different kinds of animals are found here. While upward walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense majestic Deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable.

This sanctuary has large population of Himalayan Thar in Himalayas. Himalayan Thar is a big goat and seeing this big goat on high mountain cliffs is dream fulfillment of any wildlife lover.

There is a Rest House at Kasol where tourists can spend their more time in this sanctuary and can take enjoyable moments with them.

Roerich Art Gallery - Naggar

Roerich Gallery is a fine old house displaying the artwork of both the Russian professor Nicholas Roerich, and his son, Svetostav Roerich. Nicholas K. Roerich was a versatile Russian genius who settled in Kullu valley at Naggar.

Its location is delightful and the views over the valley are great. It is located in a grove of deodhars and has lovely views all around.

The paintings and photographs of late Nicholas Roerich are exhibited here. The Himalayas appear as spiritual images in these sublime paintings and convey Roerich's message of truth and eternity.

Renuka fair in Himachal

Renuka Lake is the most beautiful lake in Himachal Pradesh. On the bank of this lake, the famous Renuka fair is celebrated every year in the month of November.

This fair is dedicated to the sacrifices of mother Renuka. She was killed by her son Parsuram under the order of his Rishi father Jamdagni. This fair takes place on the eleventh day after Diwali and the fair lasts for fifteen days. It is believed that Parashurama comes to meet his mother during this period.

Processions of twelve local gods visit the Devi's temple during the fair. On the bank of lake, the temples of Parshu Ram and Renuka Devi are situated. It is an important pilgrim spot for Hindus.

Viceregal Lodge in Himachal Pradesh

Viceregal Lodge is located on the Observatory Hills, 2 kms from state Museum. The lodge is also called Rashtrapati Niwas. The lodge was completed in 1888. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin.

The lodge has now been converted into Institute of Advanced study. Visitors can see nice garden and well-kept lawns. There is a guided tour of the Lodge’s ground floor. There is a bronze plaque on a stone terrace to the rear of the building that names and describes the peaks that can be seen from there.

Himachal State Museum- Shimla

Himachal State Museum is situated near Chaura Maidan, Shimla. This is a pleasant little museum that has precious little to show in the real sense. The museum displays sculpture, paintings, decorative arts, jewellery, wood carvings, manuscripts, arms and armoury.

Stone Age tools and implements prehistoric pottery and terracotta are also on view. It is most famous for the collection of Pahari miniatures, which flourished before the impact of the west on India. It has more than 1500 objects on display. It has a well-stocked library of historical books and manuscripts.

Kalpa (a small town in HP)

Kalpa is a small town which has all the makings of an Indian Fairyland. This town is situated at a height of 10,900 feet in Himachal Pradesh about 250 kms from Shimla. It is located at the base of the imposing Kinner Kailash ranges and Shivling peaks which rise upto 20,000 feet.

Kalpa itself is spread with chilgoza forests, apple plantations and the holy deodhars. It is reached after crossing the quaint town of Recong Peo, which has a hundred-year-old monastery.

Khajjiar Lake

Khajjiar Lake is located 16 k.m. from Dalhousue and 25 k.m. from Chamba at an altitude of 1900 metres in district Chamba.

This small lake which is fed by tiny streams lies at in the centre of large Khajjiar glade. This place is named after Khajjinag. The glade and the lake are held sacred to Khajjinag.

Khajjiar has thick forest of the Kalatope sanctury surrounding its soft green grass. The little town gets its name from the Khajjiar Lake. One can see the cute little floating island in it. Hotels in the private sector and rest houses are easily available.

Mountain Cycling

Mountain Cycling from Kumarhatti to Doon Valley.
Himachal Pradesh too offers some extremely attractive areas for the lover of mountain cycling.One can start from Kumarhatti on the Shimla-Kalka road. From Kumarhatti, you reach Sarahan a small Tehsil town.

From Sarahan, the road drops steeply to Nahan where one can find heavily wooded dark forests on a road. Nahan is a small town with many old mansions and palaces.As one leaves Nahan, the route turns to Paonta Sahib with its Gurdwara on the banks of the Yamuna.

First cross the Yamuna and then turn east along a canal with the Shivalik ranges. The roads travels from Paonta Sahib towards Dehra Dun. Follow the canal, turn off to Dakpathar. Dakpathar is where the Yamuna emerges from the mountains. On your way, you cycle through fertile fields of the Doon valley.

Cricket Ground in Chail-CM

Chief Minister of Himachal, Virbhadra Singh said that the State Government would be extending all possible help to the Sainik School, Chail, authorities to expand and equip the school play ground to develop the same according to international standards for organizing Cricket matches in the Asia highest Cricket stadium. He was interacting with the school authorities at Chail today.
He said that the town had best environment to attract more visitors which benefit the local people with boost to commercial and other related activities.

He said that with the development of the Sainik School playground into a well-equipped highest Cricket Stadium the town would get boost in tourism activities.
Himachal

Governor & CM of HP expressed grief over K.R Narayan's death

Governor of Himachal V.S. Kokje and Chief Minister of Himachal Virbhadra Singh have expressed grief over the sad demise of K.R. Narayan, Ex President of India who passed away at New Delhi on Nov 9.

The Governor has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. He said that services rendered by K.R. Narayan in various capacities to the nation will be remembered.

Virbhadra Singh has condoled the sad demise of K.R. Narayan. In condolence message, he said the country has lost a leader who has made a remarkable contribution to the nation.
Himachal Pradesh

Fire in Pangi sub division gutted 6 houses

Six houses were gutted in a devastating fire in Ghanghit village of Pangi sub division of Chamba district. One cow and two buffaloes were burnt alive. About 13 families were affected due to the fire and property estimated Rs. 30 lacs were reduced into ashes.

S.R. Thakur, Resident Commissioner, provided Rs. 8,000 to the affected families as immediate relief besides making available blankets and one month foodgrains to them.

Chief Minister of Himachal, Virbhadra Singh also expressed sympathies with the affected families.

Governor stressed upon activities of Scouts & Guides in state

Governor, V.S. Kokje has stressed upon the need to start activities of Scouts and Guides in all the educational institutions in the State in shimla. He also said that such activities would go a long way in creating awareness amongst the masses particularly in rural areas about various social issues.

The Governor addressed the students on the occasion of scouts and guides Flag Day at Raj Bhavan. He said that the Raising Day was celebrated all over the world every year on 7th November. The Governor and Chief Minister are Chief Patron and Patron of this organization respectively. There are 153 countries associated with this organization.

16 flood affected families had been alloted land for houses

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh visited the flood affected Leo village of Kinnaur district to take stock of the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken by the State Government.

16 flood affected families of Leo village had been provided 4 biswa of land for construction of their houses under Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojna. He said that effective relief operation was launched in the affected areas and rehabilitation measures to the affected families besides restoring the damaged roads on war footing.

He also said that Free rations for six months to the affected families was also provided besides maintaining supply like under public distribution system in the entire district. The major roads in the valley had been restored while the remaining link roads would also be restored soon.
More about Himachal Pradesh

Simbalbara Sanctuary ( Sirmour)

Simbalbara Sanctuary is located in Paonta Valley of Sirmaur District. This area bears beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy glades. This is probably the most picturesque area of Shiwaliks.

There is a perennial stream flowing in the area. Simbalbara Sanctuary is connected to the nearby places by means of a fair weather road from Puruwala and provides a beautiful view of the valley. One can conveniently drink in depth the beauty of the entire valley.

Species of Goral, Sambhar and Chittal can be easily seen here. Winter is the best season to visit this sanctuary.

Indian Oil will sell HPMC products

Indian Oil Corporation petrol pumps across the country will now also sell fruit-based products of a Himachal Pradesh state-run company.

State Horticulture Minister said, "Himachal Pradesh Horticulure Produce & Marketing Corporation (HPMC) and IndianOil signed a deal according to which HPMC products, including apple juices, jams and jellies will be sold at petrol stations.

Officials are hoping once this scheme picks up it could raise the revenue of the near-sick HPMC by around 20 percent over the next few years.

Three-storey building reduced to ashes in Shimla

Three-storey building at Magara village in Jubbal area of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh was trapped into fire. The fire was so uncontrolled that it resulted to the loss of property worth Rs 75 lakh to ashes.

The three-storey building with 34 rooms and housing 11 families was reduced to ashes in a few hours after the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire according to the police believe might have been by a short circuit.

The district administration has announced an immediate relief of Rs 11,000 to each family, besides one-month's ration, clothes, tents and blankets.