HP Current Affairs (December to 15th January)

Current Affairs December to 15^th January

1. Sanjauli-Dhalli Tunnel :

Why in News : Recently, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh inaugurated the newly-constructed Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel.

About :  Sanjauli – Dhali Tunnel :

• Length of the tunnel is – 154.22 meters
• The New Sanjauli-Dhalli Tunnel is strategically located on the way to popular tourist spots like Kufri, Naldehra, Tattapani, Narkanda, and Chail.
• Its significance lies in addressing the needs of both residents and visitors by easing movement and boosting the region’s economic growth, particularly benefiting tourism due to improved connectivity.
• The tunnel also plays a role in modernizing infrastructure, providing a practical and sustainable solution to alleviate congestion on Shimla’s circular road
• The tunnel aims to promote and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region.Inside the tunnel, there are 210 hand-painted artworks showcasing the culture of Himachal Pradesh, focusing on the Jatar (Devta) procession of Shimla.
• These paintings highlight the Choltu dance form, an important Pahari dance in upper Himachal areas like Theog, Rohru, Rampur, and Kotkhai.

2. Parala Fruit processing plant in Theog

Why in news: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurate the state-of-art fruit processing plants built at a cost of 100 cr at Parala in Theog Sub Division of Shimla District.

Highlights:

• Wine, vinegar and juice will be produced in this plant ensuring that the local growers get fair prices for their produce.
• The state government announced a historic increase of Rs 1.50 in the support price of apples, which now stood at Rs 12 per kg.
• “Eight grading/packing houses, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) and Cold Stores are being established in Bhawanagar, Sandasu, Anu, Chopal, Jabli, Sundernagar, Dattnagar and Khadapathar for the convenience of the farmers”.

Fruit Processing plants in Himachal:

• HPMC has two fruit processing plants, at Parwanoo and Jarol (Sundernagar) to maintain high standards in the field of fruit processing.
• Fruit Processing plants with installed capacity to process 18000 MTs apple at Parwanoo
• Fruit processing plants to process 2000 MTs apple at Jarol(Sundernagar).

3. Project for Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods

Why in News: Recently there is an article related to this project published in a Newspaper that how this Project showed the path to self-employment

About Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods Project

• This Project is assisted by Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA)
• Project is being implemented in seven districts i.e. Kinnaur, Shimla, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu , Kangra and Lahaul & Spiti.
• The project period is 10 years from 2018-19 to 2027-28.
• It will be implemented in 72 Ranges of 22 Divisions falling in jurisdiction of 9 Forest Circles and the activities will be carried out both in PFM as well as departmental mode through 400 VFDS and 60 BMC sub-committees.
• Under this project, 460 forest department committees and more than 900 self-help groups have been formed at the village level.

Case Study : Kathogan is a village in Sarkaghat that will benefit from this project. The work on JICA project here was started on 14 August 2020. Under this, plantation work is being done in 10 hectares in departmental mode and 10 hectares in participatory forest management mode. It also provides employment and helps in climate change. Under this project, two self-help groups have been formed in the villages. The first is Naina Devi Silai Kadai and the second is Johny Mata Mushroom Production Group. Both the groups have been provided Rs 1 lakh each by the committee to increase their livelihood through inter-loaning. Under this project, a community hall has been built at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. Under the project, women of Naina Devi Selag Help Group took training, while Johnny Mata Mushroom Group received two days training on production of Dhingri and Button Mushroom from Sundernagar and 6 days training from Chambaghat, Solan.

4. Himachal Pradesh Film Policy 2024 :

Why in News : With a view to encourage film production in Himachal, Himachal Pradesh Film Policy 2024 was approved.

Highlights :

• Aiming to boost cinematic exploration and develop Himachal Pradesh as a favourite film production destination.
• The new Film Policy has been formulated to develop Himachal as a favourite destination for film production, to disseminate information about the State’s culture, history, heritage, traditions and captivating unexplored places through films.
• The Policy aims to attract additional capital investments in the State through the film industry.
• A Film Facilitation Cell will be set up in the Department of Information and Public Relations and it will act as Single Window for permission, ensuring a swift online process within three working days.
• The film producers will be offered more developed shooting locations with improved amenities and the State Government will also encourage the private companies to set up production houses, maintaining a list of available equipment online.
• The State Government will institute Annual Film Awards for quality films, with at least 50 per cent shooting in the State.
• A Film Development Fund will also be created for organizing festivals, awards and related activities, which will be managed by the Department of Information and Public Relations under the guidance of H.P. Film Development Council.
• This Council will devise strategies for the development of the film sector in the State and will also give recommendations to the State Government for developing or upgrading necessary infrastructure. This will also monitor the effective implementation of Film Policy and make suggestions for amendments from time to time.
• The new Film Policy embraces a holistic approach, from streamlined facilitation for the film-makers to nurturing local talents and promoting the State’s cultural richness and marks a significant step towards making Himachal a vibrant hub for the film industry,

5. ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme

Why in News : The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh started the Programme on 17^th January 2024 from Village Galore of Nadaun (Hamirpur).

About :

• This Programme is started from Galore village of nadaun(Hamirpur)
• Through this programme, the State Government was disseminating information about its programmes, policies and other decisions
• People were also being made aware about the welfare schemes and the decisions that have transformed the lives of the people and the other beneficiaries availing benefits of such schemes

6. Tenzing Norgay Award :

Why in News : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated mountaineer Parveen Singh for being conferred with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-2022 for lifetime achievement

About :

Praveen Singh:

• Praveen Singh belongs to Kangra District and is working as ASI in BSF.

• Praveen Singh has successfully climbed Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga twice and has successfully climbed more than 20 Himalayan peaks.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award:

• The Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, formerly known as the National Adventure Awards, is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the promotion of adventure sports.

• The award is named after Tenzing Norgay, one of the first two individuals to summit Mount Everest.

7. Arujna Award :

Why in News: At Rashtrapati Bhavan, in a special event, Ritu Negi from Himachal Pradesh received the prestigious Arjuna Award from President Draupadi Murmu. This recognition is a result of Negi’s outstanding accomplishments and skills in Kabaddi, making her a top athlete in India.

8. States’ Startup Ranking 2022

Why in news: Recently the ‘States’ Startup Ranking 2022’ released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Highlights: This was the fourth edition of the awards and saw participation from 33 states and union territories.

The states and union territories were ranked based on their performance on seven reform areas and 25 action points.

The participating states were divided into two categories – Category A : those with a population of above 1 Cr and Category B : those with population less than less 1cr.

Category A :

Best performers – Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Top Performers – Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Telangana.

Aspiring leaders – Bihar and Haryana

Category B :

Best Performer – Himachal Pradesh

Top Performer – Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya

Aspiring leaders – Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nagaland

9. Outlook Traveler Awards-2023 :

Why in News : Himachal Pradesh won two prestigious awards at the Outlook Traveler Awards-2023 ceremony held in New Delhi recently. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was present in this function as the chief guest. On this occasion he presented awards to the winners of various categories.

Highlights : Himachal Pradesh won the awards in the Best Adventure Tourist Destination Gold category for Bir-Billing in Kangra district and Best Eco-Tourism Destination Gold category for Spiti in Lahaul-Spiti district.

10. Ice Skating rink Shimla :

Why in News: After a completion of trials, ice skating session started in Shimla from 18^th December and the executive members are hoping to stretch the session till the first week of February.

About Skating Rink Shimla (Asia’s biggest natural ice skating rink) The history of Shimla Ice Skating Club goes back to the 1920. On a cold morning in winter, an English Gentleman, Mr. Blessington, found that the water taps has flooded his tennis courts with water. The water which flooded the tennis courts was frozen solid and it also encompassed the water taps and trickles of water which were suspended in air. With utter joy, he started converting the tennis courts into the ice skating rink every winter

Mr. Blessington founded Simla Ice Skating Club, which was the oldest ice skating club in India and South East Asia.

Note : Nako lake in kinnaur district of Himachal is the highest natural ice skating rink in world.

11. Foundation Day of Bhuttico

Why in News : Recently Bhutti Weavers Cooperative Society celebrated its 79th Foundation Day

About : Bhutti Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd. :

• 12 progressive weavers of a remote Himalayan village , Bhuuti joins hand and Bhutti Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd. came into existence in 1944.
• In 1956, a master weaver Ved Ram Tahkur joined Bhuttico on being motivated by Mr. Gurcharan Singh(inspector of Cooperative Societies)
• Bhuttico Weavers Cooperative Society , Kullu, selected for the national Merit Certificate for 2016 by the Ministry of textiles on 28^th February 2018.
• In September 2015 , the government decided permit sale of only traditional handloom kullu shawl , bearing the Geographical indication mark, during the kullu Dussehra, so as to benefit the local weavers and prevent sale of cheap factory-made shawls

• At present , the society is exporting products to Belgium , france, Great Britain , Russia, Japan , China , Spain and USA.