Context: Uttrakhand govt. announced Gairsain as the new summer capital of the state, partially fulfilling an over two-decade demand by statehood crusaders to make it the permanent capital.

• Uttarakhand (earlier known as Uttranchal) was carved out as a separate state from Uttar Pradesh in 1998. Those who spearheaded the movement for statehood to Uttarakhand wanted Gairsain to be made its permanent capital.
• However, Dehradun has been the temporary capital of the state since it attained statehood and still houses the chief minister’s residence, Raj Bhavan and MLA residences.
• The state Assembly is located in Dehradun but sessions are held in Gairsain as well.
• With the fresh announcement, there is no clarity whether Dehradun’s current status will remain the same or it will be considered the new winter capital.

About Gairsain

• It is a tehsil in Chamoli district, a hilly region falling on the border of Kumaon and Garhwal regions.
• It covers a large area suitable for the construction of the capital and accommodating people.
• It is emerging as a tourist place and it is also a part of the major route connecting Garhwal with the Kumaon region.
• It is the site of the source of the Ramganga River which rises near the Dudhatoli Parvat.
• The famous tourist attractions are the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Badrinath, Vasundhara Falls etc.