Indian Punjab

The spiritual centre of the Sikh religion with the Golden Temple at Amritsar.

Indian Punjab – this state is the most affluent state in India, as well as being the spiritual centre of the Sikh religion, and home to the landmark building of the Golden Temple at Amritsar. The Punjab is predominantly an agricultural region, often referred to as the bread basket of India. Today it also houses a number of thriving industries particularly in the areas of agri-business, textiles, bicycles and sports goods.

The scale of this farming region is awe inspiring. The state has embraced the green revolution leading to huge increases in food production – but at a cost.

 

Study themes:

• Sustainable water supplies. Most irrigation is via underground water supplies – these underground stores of water are running out at an alarming rate.
• Social issues have emerged – inequality in the region has increased. Poor farmers are struggling and suicide rates have soared.
• Gender Imbalance. Punjab has the lowest number of female births to be found in India. The reasons are partly cultural but also linked to the growth of the middle classes.
• Electrification is the main government policies for rural development – but the government is struggling to find sustainable sources of power.
• Urbanisation has also increased with the increased efficiency of farming, but rural areas have also witnessed the spread of aids as workers travel between urban and rural districts.

 

Himachal Pradesh

The land of eternal snow peaks dominated by mountains and their associated rivers and valleys

Himachal Pradesh - the land of eternal snow peaks – sits at the foothills of the Himalayas. The stunning scenery of the Himalayas provides a huge contrast to the agricultural plains of the Punjab. The state is dominated by mountains and their associated rivers and valleys. Attractions include Shimla, which was once part of the Nepalese empire but came to prominence when the British used it as the summer capital of India, moving all of the government from Dehli. With its typical British hill stations, and beautiful temple complexes, its also a centre for domestic tourism. In the more bleak, high altitude regions, Tibetan Buddhism is the major influence, centred on the residence of the Dalai Lama in Upper Dharamsala.

 

Study Themes:

• Impact of Tourism. As wealth has increased and led to a booming middle class, domestic tourism has increased to this upland region.
• Dams and Reservoirs. Reservoirs are seen as reliable water supplies, as monsoon rains become less reliable, to support the irrigation programmes for the agricultural plains of the Punjab.

 

Rajasthan – the Land of Kings

One of the most exotic and colourful states in India

Rajasthan – the Land of Kings encapsulates the essence of India. Best known as one of the most exotic and colourful states in India its history is based on the Rajput clan – a warrior clan who entrenched themselves in this harsh desert land building enormous, forts and grandiose palaces. The state is split into two, with the rugged landscape of the SE region and the barren Thar desert in the NW. Rajasthan is one of India’s major tourist destinations, an industry developed around the major cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur, the captivating lakeside towns of Udaipur and Pushkar , and the incomparable fort of Jaisalmer.

 

Study Themes:

• Arid environments - nthe harsh arid climate of Rajasthan has a meant water is a very valuable commodity. A variety of rain water harvesting projects have been put in place as a form of community and rural development.
• Tourism both domestic and international has become the focus of development in Rajasthan. It is bringing increasing wealth and prosperity to many, but there have been some social costs to the industry.
• Industry - Rajasthan has always been renowned in India for its textile and marble industries. With globalisation and the opening up of markets are these industries growing with increased access to markets or struggling with increased competition?