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INDIA 2012

A REFERENCE ANNUAL

Compiled by

RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION

PUBLICATIONS DIVISION

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Uttar Pradesh

Area : 2,40,928 sq km

Population : 16,61,97,921 (Census 2001) 19,95,81,477 (Prov. Census 2011)

Capital : Lucknow

Principal Languages : Hindi and Urdu

HISTORY

The history of Uttar Pradesh is very ancient and interesting. It is recognised in the later Vedic Age as Brahmarshi Desha or Madhya Desha. Many great sages of the Vedic times like Bhardwaja, Gautam, Yagyavalkaya, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra and Valmiki flourished in this state. Several sacred books of the Aryans were also composed here. Two great epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata, appear to have been inspired by Uttar Pradesh.

In the sixth century BC Uttar Pradesh was associated with two new religions— Jainism and Buddhism. It was at Sarnath that Buddha preached his first sermon and laid the foundations of his order and it was in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh where Buddha breathed his last. Several centres in Uttar Pradesh like Ayodhya,

Prayag, Varanasi and Mathura became reputed centres of learning. In the medieval period Uttar Pradesh passed under Muslim rule and led the way to new synthesis of Hindu and Islamic cultures. Ramananda and his Muslim disciple Kabir, Tulsidas, Surdas and many other intellectuals contributed to the growth of Hindi and other languages.

Uttar Pradesh preserved its intellectual excellence even under the British administration. The British combined Agra and Oudh into one province and called it United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. The name was shortened to the United Provinces in 1935. In January 1950 the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.

The State is bounded by Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in the north, Haryana in the west, Madhya Pradesh in the south and Bihar in the east. Uttar Pradesh can be divided into two distinct regions (i) Southern Hills and (ii) Gangetic Plain.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the main occupation of 66 per cent of the population of the State. The net cultivated area in the state is 164.17 lakh hectare.

INDUSTRY AND MINERALS

There were 6,12,338 Small Scale Industries with involving a total investment of 7172 crores, as per earlier records.

Under the public sector, mining of limestone, magnesite, coal, rock phosphate, dolomite and silicon-sand is carried out. The bulk production of minor and some of the major minerals like limestone, silica-sand, magnesite, pyrophyllite and diaspore is mostly with the private sector. Important mineral based industries include large cement plants in Sonebhadra.

IRRIGATION AND POWER

UP Power Corporation, UP State Power Generation and UP Hydel Power Corporation had been formed by reorganising UP State Electricity Board on 14 January 2000. During 2001-02 the total installed capacity was 4659 MW, in 2006-07 it was 5011 MW which has now been raised upto 5077 MW. During 2001-02 the total power production was 226330 lakh KW and in the year 2006-07 it was 229692 which is at present 227099 during the year 2007-08. The total consumption of power during the year 2001-02 was 253302 lakh KW.

Power is an important input to accelerate the process of economic growth. The installed capacity of re-organized Uttar Pradesh during Tenth Five Year Plan was 7821.82 MW. Only 56.6 per cent of 97135 villages were electrified and 7.88 lakh private tubewells were energized. At the time of inception the total installed capacity of UPSEB, including thermal and hydro, was 2,635 MW which has now been raised to 5414 MW (derated 5,885.75 MW).

TRANSPORT

Roads : The total road length of PWD in the State is 146728 km. This includes 3820 km of national highways, 8391 km of state highways, 119726 of other district roads and 134517 km of rural roads.

Railways: Lucknow is the main junction of the northern network. Other important railway junctions are Agra, Kanpur, Allahabad, Mughalsarai, Jhansi, Moradabad, Varanasi, Tundla, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Faizabad, Bareilly and Sitapur.

Aviation: There are airports at Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Agra, Jhansi, Bareilly, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Gorakhpur, Sarsawa (Saharanpur) and Fursatganj (Rae-Barelli).

FESTIVALS

The biggest congregation, perhaps of the world, Kumbha Mela is held at Allahabad every twelfth year and Ardh kumbh Mela every sixth year. Magh Mela is also held at Allahabad in January when the people come in large numbers to have a dip in the holy Sangam. Among other fairs is the fortnight long Jhoola fair of Mathura, Vrindavan and Ayodhya, when dolls are placed in gold and silver jhoolas or cradles. A dip in the Ganga on Kartik Poornamasi is supposed to be the holiest and there are big congregations at Garhmukteshwar, Soran, Rajghat, Kakora, Bithur, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi and Ayodhya. A famous cattle fair is held at Bateswar in Agra district. Dewa in Barabanki district has become famous because of the Muslim saint Waris Ali Shah. Besides, important festivals of the Hindus, Muslims, etc., are widely celebrated in the state.

TOURIST CENTRES

Uttar Pradesh has varied attractions for all kinds of tourists. Besides ancient places of pilgrimage like Varanasi, Vindhyachal, Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, Prayag, Naimisharanya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dewa Sharief, Dargah of Sheikh Saleem Chisti in Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Sankisa, Kampil, Piprahwa and Kaushambi, places like Agra, Ayodhya, Sarnath, Varanasi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Mahoba, Devgarh, Bithur, and Vindhyachal have rich treasures of Hindu and Islamic architecture and culture.

GOVERNMENT

Governor : Shri B.L. Joshi

Chief Secretary : Shri Anoop Mishra (2012)/ Sh Jawed Usmani

Chief Minister : Kumari Mayawati

Jurisdiction of High Court

Uttar Pradesh

AREA, POPULATION AND HEADQUARTERS OF DISTRICTS

Sl. No. District Area (sq km) Population (Census 2001) Headquarters

1. 2 3 4 5

1. Agra 4,027 36,20,436 Agra

2. Aligarh 3,650 29,92,286 Aligarh

3. Allahabad 5,482 49,36,105 Allahabad

4. Azamgarh 4,054 39,39,916 Azamgarh

5. Bahraich 4,420 23,81,072 Bahraich

6. Balia 2,981 27,61,620 Balia

7. Banda 4,460 15,37,334 Banda

8. Barabanki 4,402 26,73,581 Barabanki

9. Bareilli 4,120 36,18,589 Bareilli

10. Basti 2,688 20,84,814 Basti

11. Bijnore 4,561 31,31,619 Bijnore

12. Badaun 5,168 30,69,426 Badaun

13. Bulandshahar 4,352 29,13,122 Bulandshahar

14. Deoria 2,538 27,12,650 Deoria

15. Etah 4,446 27,90,410 Etah

16. Etawah 2,311 13,38,871 Etawah

17. Faizabad 2,341 20,88,928 Faizabad

18. Ambedkar Nagar 2,350 20,26,876 Akbarpur

19. Fatehpur 4,152 23,08,384 Fatehpur

20. Farukkhabad 2,181 15,70,408 Fatehgarh

21. Gaziabad 1,148 32,90,586 Gaziabad

22. Gautam Buddha Nagar 1,442 12,02,030 Noida

23. Gazipur 3,377 30,37,582 Gazipur

24. Gonda 4,003 27,65,586 Gonda

25. Gorakhpur 3,321 37,69,456 Gorakhpur

26. Hamirpur 4,282 10,43,724 Hamirpur

27. Hardoi 5,986 33,98,306 Hardoi

28. Jalaun 4,565 14,54,452 Orai

29. Jaunpur 4,038 39,11,679 Jaunpur

30. Jhansi 5,024 17,44,931 Jhansi

31. Kanpur (Dehat) 3,021 15,63,336 Akbarpur Mati

32. Kanpur (City) 3,155 41,67,999 Kanpur

33. Lakhimpur Kheri 7,680 32,07,232 Kheri

34. Lalitpur 5,039 9,77,734 Lalitpur

35. Lucknow 2,528 36,47,834 Lucknow

36. Mainpuri 2,760 15,96,718 Mainpuri

37. Mathura 3,340 20,74,516 Mathura

38. Meerut 2,590 29,97,361 Meerut

39. Mirzapur 4,521 21,16,042 Mirzapur

40. Moradabad 3,718 38,10,983 Moradabad

41. Muzaffarnagar 4,008 35,43,362 Muzaffarnagar

42. Pilibhit 3,499 16,45,183 Pilibhit

43. Pratapgarh 3,717 27,31,174 Pratapgarh

44. Raibareilli 4,609 28,72,335 Raibareilli

45. Rampur 2,367 19,23,739 Rampur

46. Jyotiba Phule Nagar 2,249 14,99,068 Jyoitba Phule Nagar

47. Saharanpur 3,689 14,99,068 Saharanpur

48. Shahjahanpur 4,575 25,47,855 Shahjahanpur

49. Sitapur 5,743 36,19,661 Sitapur

50. Unnao 4,558 27,00,324 Unnao

51. Sultanpur 4,436 32,14,832 Sultanpur

52. Varanasi 1,535 31,38,671 Varanasi

53. Mau 1,713 18,53,997 Mau

54. Siddharthnagar 2,895 20,40,085 Navgarh

55. Firozabad 2,361 20,52,958 Firozabad

56. Sonbhadra 6,788 14,63,519 Robertsganj

57. Maharajganj 2,952 21,67,041 Maharajganj

58. Sant Ravidas Nagar 1,015 13,53,705 Bhadohi

59. Mahoba 2,884 7,08,447 Mahoba

60. Hathras 1,840 13,36,031 Hathras

61. Kaushambi 1,780 1293154 Kaushambi

62. Kushinagar 2,906 28,93,196 Podraune

63. Chandauli 2,541 16,43,251 Chandauli

64. Balrampur 3,349 16,82,350 Balrampur

65. Shrawasti 2,458 11,76,391 Shrawasti

66. Chitrakoot 3,164 7,66,225 Chitrakoot

67. Baghpat 1,321 11,63,991 Baghpat

68. Kannauj 2,093 13,88,923 Kannauj

69. Orriya 2,015 11,79,993 Orraiya

70. Sant Kabir Nagar 1,646 14,20,226 Khalilabad

71. Kanshi Ram Nagar - 92,485 Kanshi Ram Nagar

72. Chattrapati Sahuji 3,044 18,87,120 Gauriganj Maharaj Nagar

Wildlife parks and sanctuaries: India

CHILLA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

This wildlife sanctuary provides for a rich Sal forest. Chilla wildlife sanctuary is hardly 6 km from the holy city of Haridwar and provides an ideal opportunity for a day's visit besides enjoying one's stay along the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar.

Chilla is a part of wider wildlife area in Rajaji in the Tarai region of Shivaliks. You can be sure of seeing Wild Elephant, Chital, Sambar, Ghoral, and Spotted Deer. Sighting Leopards are an occasional possibility.

Location: 6 kms from Hardiwar

Access

By Rail/Road Haridwar (6 km)

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Its unique location provides this national park with a vast diversity of fauna. Though it is widely accepted as a tiger refuge, but in the real sense, it is a paradise for bird watchers. More than 600 species of birds have been recorded. The river Ramganga is the main source of water. The river meanders through the undulating terrain presenting a wonderful scenic beauty for the visitors.

Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Sloth bear, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, are some of the major species seen. Goral and Himalayan Black Bear are known to come into the park during winters. Due to the typical Himalayan foothills terrain, flash floods during monsoon leaves nothing behind in the name of roads and hence the park is closed between 15 June to 15 November.

The Ramganga sustains Mahashir (Himalayan carp) and has a good population of Otters, Crocodiles, and Gharials.

Location: Pauri, Garhwal and Nainital districts

Best time to visit: November to mid June

Habitat: Dense sal forests and tall green meadows

Area: 520.82 sq.kms

Access

Nearest Airport Pantnagar (110 kms) Nearest Railway Station Ramnagar (51 km) By Road Dhikala connected by road to Dhangarthi and further to Ramnagar, the nearest town

Accommodation

Forest Rest House at Dhikala, Khinanauli, Sarpdauli, Giral, Sultan, Bijrani, Malani, Kanda, Dhela, Jhima.

Contact

Field Director, Project Tiger or Wildlife Warden Corbett National Park, Ramnagar Distt. Nainital, Uttar Pradesh 224 715

DUDHWA NATIONAL PARK

Dudhwa is located in Tarai region adjoining Nepal. It represents one of the finest pure Sal forests in this country, with grasslands, large lakes and swampy bogs that provide shelter to a vast diversity of fauna and flora. It is the home for the soft ground Barasingha or Swamp deer, besides Tiger, Elephant, Sambar, Chital, Barking deer, Hog deer, Blue bull, Sloth bear, and Otters which are found in good numbers. Dudhwa was home to the Great Indian Rhinoceros but the same was eliminated in the recent past. Reintroduction of this unique species has added additional importance to this beautiful park. One can get an opportunity to know about "Tharu", a local community who live in harmony with nature. Dudhwa can also be considered a bird watcher's paradise with a possibility of sighting more than 400 species of birds.

Location: North LakhimpurKheri

Best time to visit: November to May

Habitat: Sal, marshes and grasslands

Area: 498.29 sq.kms

Access

Airport/Railway Station Lucknow/Dudhwa By Road UPSRTC buses connect Dudhwa with Palia, Lakhimpur, Kheri and neighbouring places

Accommodation

Forest Rest House at Dudhwa, Sathiana, Bankatti, Sonaripur, Kila

Contact

Field Director, Project Tiger Dudhwa National Park, LakhimpurKheri, Uttar Pradesh 262 701

RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

Its ideal location on the tourist circuit can make this an important sanctuary. The Sanctuary is divided by the Ganges river. The smaller portion on the eastern side of the river is known as Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary.

Rajaji is interspersed with moist deciduous forest with Sal as the predominant species. Sambar, Chital, Barking deer, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Monkeys, and Goral (mountain goat) are important species. All along the river course, a number of turtle species can also be seen.

Location

Dehradun valley

Best time to visit: November to June

Habitat: Scenic surroundings, pleasant climate, beautiful setting

Area: 830 sq.kms

Access

Nearest Airport Jolly Grant Nearest Railway Stations Dehradun and Hardwar By Road Delhi (220kms), Lucknow (510kms)

Accommodation

5 Forest Rest House, 10 suites

Contact

Director, Rajaji National Park, Dehradun. Tel== 24225. Tourist Lodge,

Hardwar

VALLEY OF FLOWERS

The valley of flowers is nature's wonder. This high altitude region is governed by the extreme cold climate and remains snowbound for nearly five months.

In fact the valley of flowers is an alpine meadow but is guarded by towering Himalayan ridges and peaks thus creating its own climatic conditions and protection against dry cold winter monsoons.

The importance of this valley was understood by old sages who used to spend their time here for meditation. But the common tourist was unaware of its existence. A trip to this valley requires special efforts and an avid trekker will enjoy this trip.

The valley of flowers can be termed as a botanist's paradise as the beauty of flowers is always irresistible to any individual. There are nearly 3000 species of plants found in this small area. The flowers invite a diversity of insects and birds and hence the faunal diversity is also good. Musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, are some of the important mammals found here. The colourful majestic Monal and few other Pheasants add beauty.

The months of July and August are the ideal period. Rest house facility at Govind Dham is available with prior permission from the U.P. Wildlife authorities. A visit to Hemkunt Sahib an important pilgrimage site for Sikhs is close by and will add to your experience.

Location

Bhyundia Ganga of Chamoli district of Garhwal

Best time to visit: July to October

Habitat: Natural garden blooming with wild flowers

Area: 90 sq. kms

Access

Nearest Airport Jolly grant Nearest Railway Station Rishikesh By Road Off the RishikeshBadrinath road. 16 kms from Govindghat and Badrinath (24kms)

Accommodation

Tourist Rest House, Ghangari, Forest Rest House at Ghangari and Govindghat

Contact

Deputy Conservator of Forests, Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Dist.Chamoli.

LIVING ADVENTUROUSLY

MAJOR BASE POINT

Garhwal and Kumaon

GETTING THERE

By Air The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun.

By Rail Convenient overnight trains from Delhi connect Haridwar the nearest railhead into Garhwal. The Shatabdi Express serves Haridwar along with trains from Mumbai and Calcutta.

By Road Bus services connect Haridwar with other towns in North India. It is a 5 hour drive from Dellhi and just 22 km from Rishikesh.

TIME TO VISIT

There are two seasons for trekking in MayJune and end August end October.

PLACES OPEN IN RESTRICTED/PROTECTED AREA

VISIT PERMITTED TO

Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Niti Ghatti and Kalindi Khal in Chamoli, Uttar Kashi districts Adjoining areas of Milam Glacier

AUTHORITY MHA Government of U.P. DM/SDM concerned ITBP

REMARKS

Individual tourists not permitted.

TREKKING

Gangotri

The trek to the source of the river Ganga will prove a memorable experience and is comparatively easy. From the roadhead at Gangotri one follows a fairly level trail alongside the river for 19 km till the snout of the glacier is reached. The river rises from an ice cave and the surroundings, especially if one proceeds another 5 km along the glacier to Tapovan, are among the most sublime in the world. This grassy meadow called Tapovan at a height of 4,400 m is surrounded by spectacular peaks like Meru which has the mythological merit of being the centre of the Universe; other peaks are the Shivling, Bhagirathi group etc.

Curzon

This is another fabulous trek over Kuari Pass at 12,000 feet. The trek begins at Joshimath and after reaching Tapovan, carries one over Kuari Pass affording a panoramic view of the Nandadevi Sanctuary mountains. This trail can start from Gwaldam or halfway along at Ghat. The full trek takes ten days. Many find it preferable to do it in reverse from Tapovan to Ghat, for the climb to the pass is not too steep from the north.

A favourite of those who love flowers is HarikiDun in western Garhwal. A lovely meadows at Bedni is an offshoot on the Curzon Trail. This lies above the tree line en route to the great mystery lake, Rupkund, where legend has it an army lies buried in snow. The trek to the Valley of Flowers with its phenomenal one thousand varities of plants is only 4 kms away from Ghangaria.

KumaonGarhwal High Altitude

This is the classic route from the Kumaon roadhead at Munisiari in the Goriganga valley. Skirting the eastern flank of the Nanda Devi sanctuary, the trail continues to Milam and over the Unta Dhura pass entering the Girthi Ganga valley of Garhwal at Malari, roadhead for the trade routes with Tibet, using the Niti Pass and Bara Hoti.

The Gori Glacier

Reaching Munsiari from Almora by road which extends to Lilam (1800 m), the trek does a 4day run up to the shout of the Goriganga (3500 m) glacier, 5 km from the historic Milan village (3000 m).

Dodotal

For those who enjoy angling, there is the easy threeday trek to Dodital near Uttarkashi where a licence can be obtained for fishing trout.

Pindari

October is the time to visit the lovely hills of Kumaon. The twelveday trek to Pindari glacier is considered one of the classics and for the adventurous there are innumerable sideglaciers to explore.

Another exciting trek is to Milan glacier in Pithoragarh district.

MOUNTAINEERING

At the traditional source of the Ganges one can find the best mountaineering area in the world. A few kilometres above the ice cave from which the river takes birth are the meadows of Tapovan and Nandanvan, spread at the base of the most magnificent panorama of peaks. These are mainly over the 20,000 ft mark and still have unclimbed faces.

These are the peaks of Shivling, Meru Bhagirathi and Kedarnath. An easy glacial and moraine walking allows climbers to make quick ascents and this area has been called "the alpine playground".

In the far west of Garhwal, HarikiDun provides a spectacularly beautiful base for attempts on the Bandar Poonch group and the approach along the Tons valley is one of the unspoiled areas of the Himalayas. Eastwards, now that the Nandadevi Sanctuary cirque has been closed, climbers have to approach Trisul by the more formidable south face. This involves a ten day trek up the Mandakini valley to each base.

Further eastwards, Kumaon provides fairly easy access to the Sunderdhunga glacier. The jagged five Panch Chuli peaks are closed to foreigners and Indians need to obtain special permission for climbing them.

SKIING

Joshimath

Joshimath, traditionally a pilgrim town, has now also been developed as a skiing resort for Garhwal. A ropeway is under construction to take visitors from the town at 6,000 ft to the slopes of Auli and Gorsain near the Kuari Pass at 12,000 ft. Already a popular winter destination allowing for long distance, cross country skiing. Auli is being planned as a major wintersports resort. An annual championship is a highlight following several training programmes held over a three month long period when skiing is possible.

Auli

Auli's slopes, located 16 km from Joshimath, draws skiing enthusiasts from all over. The wind velocity are kept minimum by magnificent coniferous and oak forests surrounding Auli. Long and clean stretches of snows extend to 1020 km offers ideal opportunities for crosscountry, slalom and downhill skiing events. A 3 km long slope ranging from a height of 2,519 mtrs to 3,040 mtrs is the chief draw here having a 500 mts long ski lift for carrying skiers back to the slope top. It is known for hosting a number of skiing festivals and national championships. It has a 500 mts long ski lift for carrying skiers back to the slope top. It hosts a number of skiing festivals and national championships. A grand view of the Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi (7,817 mts), Kamet (7,756 mts), Mana Parvat (7,273 mts) and Dunagiri (7,066 mts) can be viewed from Auli.

WATER SPORTS

Kaundiyala near Rishikesh has established itself on the white water sports in the country. A river rafting championships is also held here every year.

The Indian rivers have the potential of having some of the most exciting stretches of river running in the world. The most popular river running routes in India are the Ganga (Grade IIIV), the Bhagirathi, (Grade IIIIV), the Alaknanda (Grade IIIIV). River rafting opportunities are provided by almost all the eternal rivers of India. The most popular run for amateurs includes Devprayag to Rishikesh on the river Ganges, while professionals initiate their run in upward stretches.

The Lucknow Water Sports Club has been revitalised on the banks of the River Gomti. The state tourism department has started the Ganga Water Rally from Allahabad to Varanasi.

AERO SPORTS

The snowcapped Himalayas are best suited for hang gliding / para sailing. There are several sights in India which have been highly rated and those in the lower reaches of the Himalayas are considered the best in the world. Paragliding is undertaken at Bhimtal in Kumaon. It will shortly be started at Kainjar in Banda district in Bundelkhand.

SAFARIS

Wildlife safaris are organised at the various national parks and sanctuaries.