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Dar Ovais

Dar Ovais

Dar Ovais is the Dharamshala-based correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers politics, tourism, Tibetan affairs and environmental issues.

Articles by Dar Ovais

Himachal CM rolls back 3% salary deferment for Class I, Class II officers

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, right, being felicitated during the state-level celebration of Himachal Day, at Reckong Peo, in Kinnaur district, on Wednesday. (PTI)

Published on Apr 16, 2026 03:16 am IST

Murder of 19-year-old college student in Mandi: Accused sent to 2-Day police remand

The accused was arrested from the spot and booked under murder charges. (File)

Published on Apr 15, 2026 03:06 am IST

Century-old Kasauli market ravaged by fire; 8 shops gutted, no casualty

Firefighters took about five hours to douse the fire that broke out at the Heritage Market in Kasauli at 4am on Monday. (HT Photo)

Published on Apr 13, 2026 03:41 pm IST

From apple belt to persimmon clusters: Himachal horticulture dept promoting exotic fruit cultivation in 5 districts

A new shade of orange in expected to stand out in terraced orchards of Himachal Pradesh with the horticulture department promoting the cultivation of the exotic fruit persimmon (Japani phal) with new clusters developed in areas with favourable climatic conditions across Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, Bilaspur and Solan districts during this season.

Published on Apr 12, 2026 03:14 am IST

Landslide on Chamba-Bharmour highway brings traffic to grinding halt

The Chamba–Bharmour National Highway was blocked on Saturday following a landslide near Batti Ki Hatti, leading to long queues of vehicles on both sides. (HT Photo)

Published on Apr 12, 2026 03:12 am IST

Himachal: 3 detained as female doctor assaulted in Chamba hospital

The faculty association of the medical college condemned the assault, and called for strengthening security measures.

Published on Apr 10, 2026 05:08 am IST

Widespread rain, snowfall lash Himachal Pradesh

Fresh snow was seen near the south portal of Atal Tunnel near Manali on Wednesday. (Aqil Khan/HT)

Published on Apr 08, 2026 11:47 pm IST

Fresh snowfall disrupts normal life in Lahaul-Spiti, over 140 roads closed

Residents of Tholang village clear snow from their house roofs as the weather improves after fresh snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti on Sunday. (ANI)

Updated on Apr 05, 2026 11:33 pm IST

Avalanche threat near Atal Tunnel in Himachal; tourist movement restricted

People walking with umbrellas amid rain in Mandi on Friday. (Birbal Sharma/HT)

Published on Apr 04, 2026 03:56 am IST

Silence in ‘Tel Aviv of Hills’ ring alarm bells for tourism players

With a backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhar range, the village is among the most favoured destinations for Israeli tourists, and is also referred to as a mini Israel. (HT Photo)

Published on Apr 04, 2026 03:54 am IST

Traffic chaos as protesters block highways over Himachal entry tax hike

Protesters blocking the Chandigarh-Dharamshala highway at Mehatpur on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Updated on Apr 02, 2026 03:22 am IST

Dalai Lama backs Pope Leo’s peace appeal, calls for end to wars

The 14th Dalai Lama. (File)

Published on Apr 01, 2026 03:46 am IST

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile passes resolution, reject China’s new ethnic unity law

The motion highlighted concerns over the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, passed on March 12, 2026, by the People’s Republic of China’s 14th National People’s Congress, and set to take effect on July 1, 2026. (File)

Published on Mar 25, 2026 05:38 am IST

Himachal govt to develop 50 new eco-tourism sites: Sukhu

With a push to eco-tourism, the Himachal Pradesh government will develop 50 new eco-tourism sites in the state in 2026-27, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said while presenting the budget (2026-27) on Saturday. (File)

Published on Mar 23, 2026 03:22 am IST

Fresh rain, snowfall cripples life in Himachal; roads blocked

A view of Atal Tunnel covered in white after heavy snowfall, in Manali on Friday. (ANI)

Published on Mar 21, 2026 05:24 am IST

Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile speaker raises concern over China’s new ethnic unity law

The speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, has expressed concern over the recently passed new law of People’s Republic of China on promoting ethnic unity and progress. ((Shutterstock)/ Representational image)

Published on Mar 18, 2026 03:20 am IST

Himachal sees 85% rain deficit in February

The highest rainfall deficit of 96% has been recorded in Solan district, followed by 94% in Una and Sirmaur districts each and 93% in Bilaspur. (File)

Published on Mar 02, 2026 05:26 am IST

Delhi Police should have informed Himachal first: Sukhu

Two days after a high voltage drama between Himachal and Delhi police personnel, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday criticised the Delhi Police over its action in Rohru, saying they should have informed the local police before taking any accused out of the state. (File)

Published on Feb 28, 2026 03:50 am IST

‘SheTravel’, Himachal mulls policy for female solo travellers

From safety framework to creating gender responsive infrastructure, the policy targets a doubling of the female solo traveller share in HP’s tourism arrivals — from approximately 18% to 35% — within three years of implementation. (HT representative)

Published on Feb 27, 2026 04:10 am IST

Baby trafficking racket: 6 more held as Himachal police widens probe

The crackdown follows the unearthing of a gang operating across Punjab and Haryana that allegedly sold infants under the guise of facilitating adoptions.

Updated on Feb 25, 2026 04:54 am IST

Vagaries of weather: Trouble brews for Himachal’s tea industry

In Himachal, tea is primarily grown in Kangra district, and the crop is largely rain-fed with limited irrigation facilities. (File)

Published on Feb 24, 2026 03:00 am IST

Hoping to return to homeland, exiled Tibetans mark 86th anniversary of Dalai Lama’s enthronement

Hoping to return to their homeland, exiled Tibetans on Sunday marked the 86th anniversary of the enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama on the Golden Throne of Tibet at the Potala Palace in 1940. (File Photo)

Published on Feb 23, 2026 05:08 am IST

Expansion of Kangra airport: ₹1,938 cr disbursed so far

The expansion project, which is underway, aims to increase the runway length of Kangra airport from the current 1,376 metres to 3,010 metres. (File)

Published on Feb 22, 2026 05:00 am IST

Nearly 30K foreigners arrived in Himachal’s Kangra last year, highest number since Covid

Only 6,538 foreign tourist arrivals were recorded in 2022.

Published on Feb 21, 2026 03:34 am IST

Dharamshala student death case: Court grants anticipatory bail to teacher, students

The status report dated February 13, submitted by the prosecution clearly suggests that there is no convincing and credible proof, as of now against any of the accused, read the court orders. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Published on Feb 18, 2026 03:08 am IST

Penpa Tsering re-elected as Sikyong of Tibetan government-in-exile

Sikyong Penpa Tsering (Filw)

Published on Feb 14, 2026 03:28 am IST

China’s policies downgrading Tibet’s status: Sikyong Penpa Tsering

ikyong Penpa Tsering. (File)

Published on Feb 12, 2026 07:04 am IST

Himachal: 15 years, many miles and a familiar wetland

The bird was sighted in 2022 and 2023, informed officials. (HT Photo)

Published on Feb 09, 2026 04:26 am IST

No Epstein link: Dalai Lama's office on reports of ‘several mentions’ in files

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama stands up for the national anthems during an event celebrating the day he assumed the political and spiritual leadership of Tibet 75 years ago, in Dharamshala, India, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)(AP)

Updated on Feb 08, 2026 07:07 pm IST

At 1.24 lakh, Pong wetland sees fewer winged guests this winter

The waterbird census at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary has recorded 115 species. (HT)

Published on Feb 03, 2026 07:34 am IST

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