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Uttarakhand Harela festival and conservation initiatives by Dhami

Source:garhwalpost ↗

Why It Matters

The integration of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign with the traditional Harela festival exemplifies community-driven environmental conservation in Uttarakhand. Furthermore, the masterplan for Jageshwar Dham reflects efforts to preserve ancient cultural heritage, while the state's pioneering role in enacting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and anti-conversion laws creates significant administrative and constitutional case studies for governance.

Summary

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' mass plantation campaign on the occasion of the traditional Harela festival in Almora, stressing the need to balance development with environmental conservation. Alongside environmental initiatives, he announced plans for the holistic development of Jageshwar Dham and Vriddh Jageshwar. Dhami also highlighted his government's key legislative achievements, including the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, rigorous anti-conversion and anti-copying laws, and grassroots governance programs like 'Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar'.

Key Points

  • Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the state-level \'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam\' plantation campaign during the Harela festival in Almora.
  • He emphasized that development in Uttarakhand must align with nature conservation to protect its ecological balance.
  • The government is formulating a master plan for the holistic development of Jageshwar Dham and Vriddh Jageshwar temples to boost cultural tourism.
  • He highlighted key legislative and governance milestones in the state, including the Uniform Civil Code, a strict anti-conversion law, and an anti-copying law.
  • The \'Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Jan-Jan Ke Dwar\' initiative aims to bring governance and services directly to the people\'s doorsteps.

Prelims Trap

The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code applies uniformly to all residents, including Scheduled Tribes.

The Uttarakhand UCC explicitly exempts Scheduled Tribes (STs) to protect their customary rights. Aspirants often incorrectly assume a "Uniform" code applies indiscriminately without exceptions.

Static Concepts Connected

Art and Culture

What are the key architectural features of the Jageshwar Dham temple complex?

  • Nagara Style: Built primarily in the Nagara architectural style, featuring tall curvilinear Shikharas crowned by Amalakas.
  • Dynastic Patronage: Constructed between the 8th and 14th centuries, receiving major patronage from the Katyuri and Chand dynasties.
  • Geographic Setting: Situated along the Jataganga river valley in Almora, reflecting indigenous Himalayan temple building traditions.
Polity and Governance

How does state-level Uniform Civil Code (UCC) intersect with constitutional provisions?

  • Constitutional Mandate: Article 44 (DPSP) directs the State to secure a UCC throughout the territory of India.
  • Concurrent Jurisdiction: Personal laws fall under Entry 5 of the Concurrent List, empowering states like Uttarakhand to draft their own civil codes.
  • Tribal Exemptions: Uttarakhand's UCC exempts Scheduled Tribes, balancing the drive for civil uniformity with constitutional protections for tribal customary practices.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Eco-cultural agrarian festivals

    Festivals like Harela (Uttarakhand) and Sarhul (Jharkhand) link agrarian sowing cycles with ecological conservation, a theme UPSC increasingly tests under the "Culture x Environment" overlap.

  • State UCC and Concurrent List

    Uttarakhand's UCC enactment demonstrates how states use Entry 5 (Personal Law) of the Concurrent List to pioneer civil standardisation, highlighting federal nuances in law-making.

Jageshwar Dham's Katyuri/Nagara architecture + Harela festival's eco-cultural significance are prime targets for 2026 pair-matching.

Linked PYQs · 1

Linked PYQs · 1

  • 2016UKPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    'HARELA' festival of Uttarakhand is related to: