Dehradun, Sept. 26 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said the state government was undertaking scientific assessments of the carrying capacity of Himalayan regions as part of a development agenda that prioritised planning to complement ecological considerations with economic ones. "Scientific assessments are being undertaken to determine the carrying capacity of different areas in view of the sensitivity of the Himalayan region,"said Dhami. Addressing the 'Jagran Vimarsh - Uttarakhand: Hopes and Challenges' event at Haldwani, he added that scientific monitoring and surveys of glaciers and glacial lakes were also being intensified. The chief minister said development was a continuous process and that the needs and challenges associated with it changed over time. He said that Uttarakhand's budget, which was around Rs.4,000 crore when the state was formed, had now increased to approximately Rs.1.11 lakh crore. According to Dhami, the state has made progress in roads, health, education, tourism, energy, agriculture and horticulture. He said Uttarakhand is also "emerging as a prominent tourism and film destination, while the number of homestays had risen by around 50% in recent years". The state's per capita income had increased by about 41%, he added. Dhami said Uttarakhand and Kerala had jointly secured the top position in the SDG India Index 2023-24. He also highlighted the 'House of Himalayas' initiative, through which local products were being given wider recognition and market access. On employment, Dhami said providing jobs to young people through a transparent system was a government priority. He said a stringent anti-cheating law had been implemented to curb irregularities in recruitment examinations and that more than 100 people had been arrested in connection with such irregularities. Around 35,000 youths, he added, had secured government jobs in recent years. Referring to preparations for the Haridwar Kumbh Mela-2027, Dhami said, "Arrangements were being formulated based on suggestions from saints, Akhadas, religious organisations and other stakeholders". He said development should not be confined to large projects and that its benefits must reach people at the last rung of society. Preserving Uttarakhand's culture, identity and the distinctive character of Devbhoomi was equally important, he added....