Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) on Wednesday agreed to provide a loan assistance of Rs 655 crore for developing and enhancing non-timber forest products (NTFP) in Uttarakhand.

This was decided at a meeting at the secretariat here where a 5-member delegation from JICA met state chief secretary Alok Kumar Jain. "Jica has agreed to work on the non-timber forest products in the Himalayan region," said an official statement said.

The 125-km project is considered to be strategically important, owing to Uttarakhand’s vast border with China

More than a year after the foundation stone for the much-ambitious Rishikesh-Karanprayag rail project in Uttarakhand was laid, the railways are yet to start its geological survey amid reports that investigations may continue for another two-three years. “We are at present carrying out alignment works and the geological survey will begin only after March this year”, say a top railway officials.

An earthquake of moderate intensity on Monday shook Garhwal region and its adjoining areas in the hill state of Uttarakhand but there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property.

When Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain travels to the remote Nogaon area of Uttarakhand this week, he will flag off a refrigerated apple van, a vital link of the cold chain that has been developed for the first time in the hill state.

Jain will also study an inclusive business model of small and marginal farmers in the apple value addition business chain. Initiated by Stichting Het Groene Woutd (SHGW), a Dutch family foundation and social investor, and NGO Sri Jagdamba Samiti (SJS), this model has helped create employment, income, technical skill and capacity among the apple growers of Uttarakhand.

Dehradun: In a bid to check illegal mining in ecologically sensitive areas close to various rivers in Uttarakhand — such as the Alakanda, the Mandakini and some minirivers — Uttarakhand chief minis

After a series of review meetings, the government has found the performance of these companies to be ‘not satisfactory’

The solid waste management (SWM) projects in Uttarakhand under the public private partnership (PPP) are not yielding satisfactory results despite a series of review meetings by top government officials. Under the Rs 50 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme, the government awarded contracts to private companies for picking up wastes from thethree cities of Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital. All the projects have been delayed considerably.

The Union Government on Thursday signed an agreement for a $100-million loan with Asian Development Bank (ADB) as the second tranche of Uttarakhand’s urban sector development investment programme.

According to an official release here, the loan assistance will support rehabilitation and expansion of basic urban infrastructure in five major urban towns of the State and ensure sustainable municipal service delivery.

NEW DELHI: Seeking to draw the line on litigation against power projects, the Supreme Court expressed unhappiness over resulting delays and cost escalations while dismissing a plea challenging a hydro-electric project on the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand.

The court observed that it is ironical that while power projects face opposition from the moment they appear on a drawing board, every citizen wants uninterrupted power supply.

Amid concern about animals being run over by speeding trains in forest areas, yet another elephant was killed and another injured when the Delhi-bound Jan Shatabdi express hit a herd of pachyderms in the district on Sunday morning.

The incident occurred near Motichoor Fatak, about 50 kms from Dehra Dun. A group of eight elephants abruptly came on the tracks, SHO Manoj Singh Negi said. By the time the train had come to a halt, it had hit two elephants, killing one on the spot and leaving another injured, he said. The rest of the elephants fled into the nearby forests.

The ban on the sale of gutkha, pan masala and other chewing tobacco-based products in Uttarakhand came into effect from Tuesday.

“This is a comprehensive ban on the sale, stocking and production of gutkha and all other tobacco chewing products in Uttarakhand,” a top government official said. Most of the shopkeepers and vendors in Dehradun city, said they were not selling gutkha or any other tobbaco-based products anymore. Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi said the government would strictly enforce the ban on the sale of gutkha and similar products in the state.