HPPSC HAS Mains 2017 Paper-3

Traditional and Modern Rainwater Harvesting Techniques Introduction: Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rainwater for later use. It’s a practice as old as civilization itself, crucial in regions with erratic rainfall or water scarcity. While historically a necessity for survival, RWH is experiencing a resurgence globally due to increasing water stress and … Read more Describe traditional and modern rainwater harvesting techniques.

The Four Principles of Organic Farming: A Holistic Approach to Agriculture Introduction: Organic farming is an agricultural system that aims to produce food and fiber without the use of synthetic inputs such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, it relies on natural processes and ecological principles to maintain soil fertility, control … Read more What are the four principles on which organic farming is based?

What Steps are Being Taken in Himachal Pradesh to Ensure a Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) Model? Introduction: Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), a state known for its rich biodiversity and agricultural heritage, has embarked on an ambitious journey towards adopting Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). ZBNF, a holistic approach to agriculture, aims to eliminate the use … Read more What steps are being taken in H.P. to ensure zero budget model of natural farming?

The Double-Edged Sword: Tourism’s Impact on Himachal Pradesh Introduction: Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), a state in northern India renowned for its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage, has increasingly relied on tourism as a major economic driver. While tourism undeniably contributes significantly to the state’s GDP and provides employment, its rapid growth also presents … Read more What are the positive and negative effects of promoting tourism in H.P.?

Expansion of the Manufacturing Sector and Employment Generation in India: A Comment Introduction: India’s economic growth trajectory is intrinsically linked to its employment generation capacity. While the services sector has been a significant driver of GDP growth in recent decades, its employment elasticity (the percentage change in employment resulting from a percentage change in output) … Read more “Expansion of the manufacturing sector is critical to employment generation in India.” Comment.

The Average Size of Land Holdings in Himachal Pradesh Introduction: Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), a hilly state in northern India, has a predominantly agrarian economy. Understanding the distribution of landholdings is crucial for effective agricultural policy and equitable resource allocation. Landholding size is categorized based on the area of land owned, typically differentiating between marginal, small, … Read more What is the average size of each of the various categories of land-holdings in H.P., ranging from marginal to large (in hectares)?

What is the Criteria for According Special Category Status to the Himachal Pradesh State? Introduction: The concept of “Special Category Status” (SCS) in India refers to a provision within the Indian Constitution that allows certain states to receive preferential treatment from the central government in terms of financial assistance, tax benefits, and other developmental initiatives. … Read more What is the criteria for according special category status to the Himachal Pradesh state?

Five Potential Patents from Himachal Pradesh: A Hypothetical Exploration Introduction: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, encompassing patents, trademarks, and copyrights, is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth. Himachal Pradesh, with its diverse agricultural landscape, rich biodiversity, and growing technological sector, presents a fertile ground for IPR generation. While precise patent data for Himachal Pradesh … Read more Enumerate any five items which have been patented or for which attempts are being made to get patented in Himachal Pradesh under the Intellectual Property Rights.

Different Approaches for Soil Conservation Introduction: Soil conservation encompasses the methods used to prevent soil erosion and degradation, preserving its fertility and productivity for future generations. The global impact of soil degradation is significant, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimating that 33% of global soil resources are degraded. This … Read more What are the different approaches for soil conservation?

Water-Efficient Irrigation Techniques: Alternatives to Flood Irrigation Introduction: Flood irrigation, also known as furrow irrigation, is a traditional method where water is channeled through furrows across a field. While simple and inexpensive, it’s highly inefficient, leading to significant water loss through runoff, deep percolation, and evaporation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the … Read more Give an account of different irrigation techniques that use less water than flood (furrow) irrigation.