Dehradun, 16 March 2005

Tata Teleservices, one of India’s leading private telecom service providers, on Wednesday launched its services in Uttaranchal.

Launching Tata Indicom Telecom Services, S K Subramanian, chief operating officer for UP (East) and (West), said CDMA-based mobile and fixed wireless services would be started in six towns in the state and would be expanded later to other towns.

Subramanian said the company will offer both post-paid and pre-paid services.

Having earmarked an investment of over Rs 525 crore for Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal in phase one, the company is all geared up to mark it’s presence in the two states over the next few months, he said, adding it was one of the largest investments made by the Tata Group of companies in Uttaranchal.

News Source: http://www.economictimes.com

Dehradun, 15 March 2005

Blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic mountains, gigantic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, Uttaranchal is a dream come true.

While the nature lovers get a real treat of the panoramic view of Himalayas, the adventure seekers visit the state for sports like river rafting, mountaineering, skiing and trekking,

With the four most sacred and revered Hindu sites Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri nestled in the mighty mountains, Uttaranchal is a destination for the pious. Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the four shrines.

Many famous hill stations, other than the Capital Dehradun, like Mussorie and Nainital are also situated here.

Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalayan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources.

Dotted with lakes, Nainital has earned the epithet of ‘Lake District’ of India.

The Corbett National Park and the Rajaji wildlife park famous for its tigers and wildlife is another reason to visit the state.

Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognised long ago and so in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first national park to be established in mainland Asia.

The Yoga centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place. UP Tourism organises an International Yoga Week here every year between February 2 and February 7.

News Source: http://www.timesofindia.com

New Delhi, 7 March 2005

Several states are waking up to the potential that no-frill airlines hold in giving a fillip to tourism and in unlocking the value of various tourist destinations in the country.

The North Indian states of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are undertaking a feasibility study for launch of a mountain airline service, comprising small aircraft and helicopters.

Some other states are toying with the idea of bringing down sales tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to trigger tourist flow into specific sectors. Southern metros like Hyderabad and Bangalore are already positioning themselves as regional hubs for low-cost airlines.

If the feasibility report — being prepared by IDFC along with Uttaranchal Infrastructure Development Corporation — finds the project viable, one would, by early next year, be able to hop across various Himalayan destinations on a Mountain Airline service.

“We are open to the idea of bringing down taxes on ATF to keep down the cost of travel by such airlines,” said a senior official of Jammu & Kashmir tourism. Even as Air Deccan starts operations between Jammu and Delhi, another private carrier has evinced interest in connecting several destinations in the state, including Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, Katra, Poonch, Rajouri and Kargil, through short-hop flights.

“We would like a tourist to fly from one destination to another at a price-point that is slightly higher than travelling by road in a taxi,” an official added.

By the middle of this year, Uttaranchal plans to air-connect the holy shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkunt Sahib, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Haridwar through the Pawan Hans helicopter service.

Air Deccan, which currently flies into Dehra Dun, is expected to extend its service to several destinations in the state within the next year. In Himachal Pradesh, high on the agenda is to bring Kullu-Manali and Dharamsala into the low-cost airline circuit, apart from devising ways to better utilise the 55-odd helipads in the state.

Efforts are also on to connect Goa by air to northern states like Uttranchal and Himachal for developing a “Sea-to-Mountain” tourist circuit, with plans to offer sands of Rajasthan as an add-on.

Private air carriers claim that the biggest impediment to operating in the hills are high operational costs owing to taxes on ATF as well as maintaining a viable passenger load factor, as tourist inflow will be seasonal.

ATF constitutes close to 40% of an airline’s operating costs in the country, more so with state governments charging a differential sales tax rate, ranging anywhere between 15% and 34%.

News Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Joshimath, 6 March 2005

The beauteous tiny township of Joshimath, a hugely revered pilgrimage centre in Uttaranchal, is pleading with authorities to scrap work on two major hydro- power projects, saying the extensive drilling and felling of trees is creating havoc with the earthquake-prone region’s ecology.

Nestled in the idyllic Himalayas, Joshimath is home to the Tapoban-Vishnugad and Vishnuprayag hydroelectric projects and work is on to extend their reach and operation on the mighty Alaknanada.

The twin projects, officials say, are critical for meeting the growing power needs of the state, besides being a source of employment. The projects they say will greatly help boost the region’s general socio-economic growth.

But the locals, most of who are farmers or in the tourism business, say the rapid development is tampering with their water sources, destroying the natural beauty besides affecting the wildlife, all of which is critical to their survival.

The locals also fear for the safety of these massive establishments as Uttranachal is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, and has faced two devastating earthquakes in the last 15 years.

“The NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) project is going to cross from the city. When the blast will be carried out, it will be dangerous and geologists have also raised fears that Joshimath is situated on a loose glacier,” said Ram Dayan, a resident.

“Joshimath is a very sensitive area and there is lot of threat to the city. Due to Vishnu Prayag project there have been landslides in neighbouring areas also, so the project should be scrapped,” added Thakur Singh Rana, the block development officer.

The region experienced a major quake in 1991 killing nearly 1,500 people. Measuring 6.6 on Richter scale, the quake flattened Uttarkashi town and nearby villages.

In 1998, cracks in buildings were reported almost from the entire state after a quake, with its epicentre at Chamoli hills struck the region. The quake severely damaged public properties including schools, college hospital, state guesthouses, water pipelines and bridges.

But despite the fears and protests, officials have refused to budge saying they are following full environmental and safety norms during construction.

Joshimath is not the first dam site to be mired in controversy. The world’s fourth largest dam, Tehri, being built on the holy Bhagirathi, has been facing stiff opposition even since it began in 1976.

Almost 42 billion rupees have been spent on the project which, when completed, will generate 2500 megawatt electricity. It will also control floods in the area and provide water to irrigate 270,000 hectares of land. Estimated to cost five billion rupees initially, the cost of the project has since escalated by more than 10 times.(ANI)

News Source: http://news.newkerala.com

5 March 2005

Uttaranchal, the small newly-formed state of India, is the true experience to the first meeting with the Himalayas.

Blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains and majestic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, travel to Uttaranchal is a dream come true.

A pious destination for the Hindu devotees with four most sacred and revered Hindu sites – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri – nestled in the mighty mountains. It is also a challenging destination for the adventure seekers who love to do some River Rafting, mountaineering, skiing and trekking. It is certainly a picturesque destination for the nature lovers with breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayas, and the lovely valley of flowers.

Most of the famous hill stations, apart from Uttaranchal’s capital Dehradun, like Mussorie and Nainital are situated in the state. The Corbett National Park and the Rajaji wildlife park, which is famous for its tigers and wildlife, are also the reason to visit the state.

Rishikesh is one of the most popular pilgrim centres and gateway to the Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, & Yamunotri.

The Yoga centres of Rishikesh have enhanced the significance of the place. UP Tourism organises an International Yoga Week here every year between 2nd to 7th February.

Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was recognised long ago and in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first national park to be established in mainland Asia.

Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources. Dotted with lakes, Nainital has earned the epithet of ‘Lake District’ of India.

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Josimath, 02 March 2005

The national level Senior Alpine Skiing Championship began in the Auli report amid much fanfare yesterday. Skiing enthusiasts from all over the world are participating in the championship, which is a part of the annual winter games.

Auli, which lies in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal, is also known as the ‘Switzerland of the East’.

The pristine hamlet has been covered in a blanket of snow due to heavy snowfall in the past 20 years. This has come as a blessing in disguise for the tourists.

Teams of the Indian Army and paramilitary force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are also taking part in the championship.

“This time the snow is very good and the skiing training is going on very well,” said Preeti, a participant.

Apart from the magnificent alpine slopes, Auli has a 3.9-km long ropeway. Besides, an 800 metres long ski lift and 500 metres chair lift add to the thrill. (ANI)

News Source: http://www.netindia123.com