The State of Uttaranchal was formed on 9th November 2000, after the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh. It is mainly a mountainous region with forests covering 64.8% percent of its total area. Agriculture is the main occupation of the majority of the population. The major crops of the region are rice, wheat, millet, maize, vegetable and fruits such as lichi, apples, plums, pears and citrus fruits. The major industries of the State are wool, medicinal plants, tourism and industries based on forest produce. The State has mineral deposits of limestone, magnesite and gypsum. The climate is typically Himalayan with cold winters and cool summers. The average annual rainfall is about 125 cms.