Himachal Cold Desert Enters UNESCO Biosphere Reserve List
The inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in Himachal Pradesh into UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) marks a milestone in India’s biodiversity conservation journey. Spanning 7,770 sq km across Lahaul-Spiti district, this cold desert ecosystem is
Gift of Tradition: The Story of Himachali Pulla and Their Revival
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented traditional hemp slippers, known as pulla, to the priests of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, he did more than just offer a gift—he spotlighted an age-old Himalayan craft that carries within it a story of
Himachal Pradesh’s Golden Mahaseer Conservation Earns SKOCH Gold Award 2025
The Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Department has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award 2025 for its groundbreaking efforts in conserving the critically endangered Golden Mahaseer through a pioneering captive breeding programme. The award was presented at a ceremony held at
The Battle of Bhangani 1686:Key Insights and Highlights
Introduction The Battle of Bhangani, a significant event in Sikh history, took place in the year 1686 A.D., near Paonta Sahib. It was a clash born out of complex political dynamics, personal rivalries, and shifting allegiances. This article delves into the
Gorkha Invasions and the Fall of Sansar Chand: How the Hill States Reshaped Power in the Himalayas
The early 19th century was a period of turbulence in the western Himalayas. The fall of the Mughal Empire and the shifting balance of power in Punjab and the hills created a vacuum that ambitious rulers sought to exploit. In
The Battle of Rehlu: A clash of ambitions and a turning point in Kangra’s history
The Battle of Rehlu in 1794 was a watershed moment in the history of the hill states of present-day Himachal Pradesh, marking the high point of Kangra's dominance under the ambitious Raja Sansar Chand II. It was a fierce clash
Parwanoo Ranks Second in India for Clean Air Efforts: A Model for Small Cities
Parwanoo, a small industrial town in Himachal Pradesh, has earned national recognition for its exemplary efforts in tackling air pollution. In the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2025, conducted under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Parwanoo secured the second rank in
Himachal Pradesh Declared Fully Literate: What It Really Means
Earlier this week, Himachal Pradesh was declared to be a ‘fully literate’ state, joining Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, and Tripura as the fifth State/Union Territory in India to achieve this status. But what exactly does ‘fully literate’ mean? Does it imply
Maa Shiv Shakti Mandir Chhatrari – History, Legends, and Unique Architecture
Have you ever heard of a temple that once rotated on a pillar and faces west instead of east?So let’s talk about Chhatrari village, about 48 km from Chamba town in Himachal Pradesh, where the famous Chhatrari Devi Temple, also
Pong Dam at 50: Lessons for Water Management and Climate Resilience
Introduction The Pong Dam, commissioned in 1974 on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, stands as one of India’s major multipurpose river valley projects. Conceived under the Beas Project, its primary objectives were irrigation supply to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, hydroelectric