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Industry in Himachal Pradesh
Ecology has been given importance in the state during the last few years. Industries becoming the cause of water or air pollution are not encouraged. Every industrial project has to be passed by the clearance of the Environment Protection Organization before its establishment.
The process of industrialisation in the State of Himachal Pradesh was started during the planning period especially after the merger of some areas of Punjab in 1966. The state has more number of small scale and cottage industries as compared to large scale. Solan is a major industrial centre of Himachal Pradesh.
Himachal Pradesh has made remarkable achievement in the field of industrialisation in past few years. The flow of investment in the state has increased industrialisation and this marked a new era of the state. As per Economic Survey 2019-20, there are 54,310 units working in the state. Out of these, 140 industrial units are large and 628 are medium scale industrial units.
Key Industries in Himachal Pradesh[edit | edit source]
The rich natural resources of the state are favourably suited for investments in major sectors such as agro-based units, hydroelectric power, cement and tourism. The districts of Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra and Una leads in terms of investment. In the small scale sector, various products including manufacturing of watch parts, thermometer, microscopes and heating equipment's and pharmaceutical industry. The village industry consists of sheep-rearing, wood carving, blacksmithing, spinning, shawl making, leather tanning, pottery, hand loom, handicrafts and bamboo crafts.
Agro-Based Industry[edit | edit source]
The climate of Himachal Pradesh is suitable for angro-based industries, food processing industry like fruit juices and canning, breweries and herbal industry. The important anglo-based industries of Himachal Pradesh are as follows:
Food Processing Industry
It includes making of fruit juices, jams, jellies and squash. Apple is a major component of food processing industry in Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is known as the Apple State of India. Fruit canning and making of apple cedar vinegar is also popular. Himachal Pradesh Manufacturing Corporation has set up food processing industries at Jarol, Sundarnagar and Mandi. Mineral water plant is set up at Solan. The first fruit plant was established at Parwanoo.
Breweries
Wine industry is another famous anglo-based industry of the state. Himalayan Gold Liquor Industry is in Solan, Himalayan wine is in Ghumarwin and Una, Mohan Meakin brewery and liquor products are at Kasauli in Solan.
Chocolates
The world famous Cadbury chocolates have their chocolate making plant at Baddi town in Solan district.
Cement Industry[edit | edit source]
Himachal Pradesh has a sufficient availability of quality limestone due to which the state has many cement manufacturing units. The major cement plants are ACC Barmana (Bilaspur), Kashlog (Solan), Baga Bhalag at Rajban (Sirmaur), etc. The establishment of other cement plants are under process in parts of district Mandi, Shimla and Chamba.
Dairy Products[edit | edit source]
As per the Economic Survey 2019-20, around 15.30 lakh tonnes of milk was produced in the state. HP Milk Federation is playing an important role in marketing and processing the rural milk through rural milk societies including Women Dairy Cooperative. The per-capita availability of milk in the state is better than the national average. Shimla, Mandi and Solan have cattle farms that are financed by NABARD.
IT and Electronics Industry[edit | edit source]
The state has proposed to setup information technology parks and several incentives are being offered to IT firms. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has a center in Shimla. It is funded by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), State Government and other state agencies. established
The government has introduced HIMSWAN (Himachal Pradesh State Wide Area Network), HMIS (Hospital Management Information System), CSCS (Common Service Centres), SDC (State Data Centre), AGRISNET (Agriculture Resource Information Systems and Networking), e-Procurement, CSP (Content Service Provider), RCCMS (Revenue Court Case Monitoring System), LMS (Litigation Monitoring System) and e-Samadhan System to bring efficiency and transparency in administration through IT and IT enabled services. Light
Light Engineering Goods Industry[edit | edit source]
The light engineering goods industry in Himachal Pradesh includes engineering components, automotive components, steel and fabrication units and cylinder manufacturing. Kala Amb in Paonta Sahib has a large number of steel fabrication mills. Auto component units are mainly based in Parwanoo (Solan district). International Cars and Motors Limited has a factory at Una. Pharmaceutical Industry Himachal Pradesh is among the fastest growing regions for the pharmaceutical industry in India. Many pharmaceutical companies have been set-up in the state, including Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy's, Morepen and Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Baddi in Solan district and Paonta Sahib are the major centres of the pharmaceutical industry In the state, herbal plants are found at a very large scale, which is a perfect condition to develop herbal gardens. Consequently, government has established herbal gardens at Jogindernagar (Mandi), Jungle Jhalera (Bilaspur), Neri (Hamirpur) and Dumreda (Shimla)
Tourism Industry[edit | edit source]
Tourism is one of the most important sectors for the state economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings as well as creation of employment opportunities. The state is endowed with topographic diversity as well as with historical monuments and religious shrines. The tourism sector of Himachal Pradesh contributes to about 7.2% in the state GDP. To boost tourism, the state plans to set-up a golf course and improve connectivity by increasing the number of helipads. This industry is well-developed in the districts of Shimla, Kangra, Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has set up hotels in 22 areas in the state to promote the industry.
Cottage/Village Industries[edit | edit source]
The state has a number of cottage industries that are doing good business and provide a steady source of income. They are as follows: Handloom and Handicraft Industry The state of Himachal Pradesh is very popular for its handicrafts and weaving. Handloom weaving and handicraft are popularly done in Kullu district because it is a cultural symbol of the district. The Kullu district is famous for its items such as shawls, caps, borders, pattoo, muffler, Chamba district is famous for handkerchief with beautiful embroidery on it known as 'Chamba Rumaal'. Kinnaur district is also famous for its traditional shawls.
Mushroom Growing and Canning[edit | edit source]
The climate of Himachal Pradesh is suitable for the cultivation of mushroom. Therefore growing and canning of mushrooms is an important industry in the state, Specially in Solan district. Directorate of National Mushroom Research and Training Centre is located at Chamba ghat, Solan to look after the training needs of the entrepreneurs willing to grow mushroom. Pasteurised compost for mushroom production is produced at two Departmental Mushroom Development Projects located at Chamba ghat and Palampur and distributed to the mushroom growers.
Sericulture industry[edit | edit source]
The sericulture industry is one of the important employment generating industry in the state. These industries are employing many rural families the production of silk Cocoons and its sale to other states is growing. According to Economic Survey 2019-20, government has set up 14 silk yarn reeling units in private sector of districts of Kangra and Bilaspur (five each), Hamirpur, Mandi, Una and Sirmaur (one each) and one unit in public sector at Nurpur Silk Mill in Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh