Industrialization in Himalayan Region: With Special Reference to Himachal Pradesh

The study on which this publication is based was undertaken with the main objective of evaluating and investigating the role of industrialization in Himachal Pradesh so that researchers, [policy formulators and government can avail of the suggestions made for effective industrial planning in the state. The specific objectives of the study from which this book has been formulated are studying the resource base of the state’s economy from an industrial point of view, studying the existing level of industrialization along with inter and intra state comparisons, identifying the pertaining problems and issues being faced by the industry and evolving an alternative strategy for industrialization. A significant conclusion which emerges is that Himachal Pradesh is an attractive investment destination for industry. However this in the absence of proper planning is leading to depletion and abuse of resources. A comprehensive plan has been presented for industrialization of the state based on three categories of industries. The first comprising of primary sector based industries including agro, horticulture and forest based; the second comprising of minerals and manufacturing based industries and the third covering high technology and highly capital intensive industries. The most significant aim of planning conducted in the manner suggested is to prevent further concentration and to spread the gains from industrialization to the most backward parts of the state.