Israel and Himachal to strengthen economic and cultural ties

Israel and Himachal Pradesh today agreed to strengthen economic and bilateral ties through technology cooperation and cultural exchange programmes.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dumal, who is in Jerusalem on a three-day visit to explore possibilities in the field of water management, said the state would seek Israeli irrigation technology.

Dhumal will be touring upper Galilee region in the north of Israel to see techniques of horticulture. The climate in this region resembles with the climate in Himachal Pradesh and it is believed that Israeli technology can be replicated in northern Indian state.

Dhumal expressed concern over melting and extinction of the centuries old glaciers in Himalayas which had so far been the perennial source of water for drinking and irrigation purposes.

"Himachal Pradesh being one of the Himalayan states is likely to suffer water scarcity due to disturbed season cycle and might cause damages due to heavy or no rains to its agriculture and horticulture activities," he said. He has also sought Israeli cooperation in field of waste management and water conservation.