An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu , Part - V , Economy of District Kullu

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh district Kullu , Part -V, Economy of District Kullu :- 

Regarding economy of Kullu  it has been given that economy of district mainly based on Agriculture , horticulture , Tourism and Local handicrafts  In part I   of  the overview  .

Agriculture :-

Here  the total geographical area of the district is 5503 square Kilometres  . The total  cultivated area is about 53312 Hect .  and the forest area is about 1975.57 square Kilometres in 2021 .

Total labor force participation in the economy is 71.80 %  , the main income comes from agriculture and income per capita is  Rs. 119231/- 

The area under forest cover i.e 1975.57 square Kilometres is rich in various kinds of herbs like  Kakar Singi , Karu , Muswala and Dhoop etc. which also adds to the economy of the district . 

Lush green forest cover in district Kullu 

The National Seed Corporation has set up a cereal seed multiplication farm at Sainj which is doing well in this sector . The Potatoes Research and Development Centres at Hamta and Kuna at Manali are also functioning in vegetable sector . Oil from herbs  and fruits preserving units are set up in Banjar , Shamshi and  Kartain . The bee farming in the district is   also being done by the farmers . 

Indian Agriculture Research Institute has set up its  Vegetable Research Centre at Katrain which is very much helpful to the farmers . 

Major crops  :- 

Agriculture fields in Kullu 

The major crops in  Kullu district are Wheat , Maize , Rice , Barley , Pulses like Rajmash , Blackgrams and other pulses.

The oil seeds are Mustard oil seed and other seeds .

Vegetables and Herbs  :- 

Garlic , Coriander , Onion  , Pea (green ) , Cauliflower , Cabbage , Tomato , Brinjal Raddish,Capsicum , Chilled and Beans are grown in district Kullu .

Horticulture :-

Apple Orchard in Parvati valley 

The Department of Horticulture was set up in 1970  in Himachal Pradesh  with an objective to  make Himachal Pradesh a  prosperous state  by utilising it's natural resources through the scientific  horticulture development .  District Kullu has  also  done an excellent work in the horticulture sector including apple production .  Thus Himachal Pradesh has achieved the distinction of being an Apple State of India .

Apple Orchard in Manali 

As per climatic environment of Kullu  Captain RC Lee took initiative to establish apple Orchard in district Kullu .

So to land the scientific horticulture research and development  in the field Regional Research Centre of Dr. Y .S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry  has been set up at Bajaura in district Kullu which is doing an excellent work in this field .

Apple Orchards in Kullu Manali  Himachal Pradesh 

In 1870 Captain RC Lee had planted his first apple Orchard  in Bandrloe near Kullu . The plants were brought from Uk

Padha Bansi Lal was the first local orchardist from Seobagh .  The apple Orchard in Manali was planted in 1884 by Captain A T  Banon with English varieties of apple .

Apple , Japanese fruits and stone fruits   are grown in this region.

Tea Gardens in Kullu  :- 

The tea gardens are mainly located in Nagar , Bajaura and Raison area of Kullu . The Kullu black tea was declared  the best tea of India in Lahore Exibhion in 1866.

Hydropower projects in district Kullu  :-

As  many perineal rivers are flowing in the district  so  numbers of hydropower projects constructed on these rivers  are playing an important role in the economy of the district as well as state . Following  are the hydropower projects in district Kullu .

Larji Hydropower project :- 

Larji Hydropower project with a total capacity of 126 Megawatt on river Beas in district Kullu 

Malana Hydropower project :- 

Malana Hydropower project with a total capacity of 86Megswatt  on Malana Khad which is tributary of Beas river in district Kullu . This project is constructed in Private sector .

Parvati Hydropower project  :-

The Parvati Hydropower project is located on Parvati river in Parvati valley  in district Kullu with a total capacity of 2051 Megawatt . The work of this project is undertaken by  NHPC with share  contribution of five states  Himachal Pradesh , Delhi (UT) , Rajsthan , Gujarat and Haryana . Himachal has 15% share  and  Rajsthan has highest share in the project .

Allian- Duhangan Hydropower project :- 

This project is constructed by diverting water of Allain and Duhangan rivers in district Kullu  with a total capacity of 192 Megawatt  by private companies.

Malana Hydropower project II :- This project is again constructed on  Malana Khad tributary of Beas in district Kullu with a total capacity of 100 Megawatt 

 View of Malana Hydropower project 

Sainj Hydropower project :- 

This hydropower project is constructed on Sainj river in district Kullu with a total capacity of 100 Megawatt . The project is undertaken by NHPC .