Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal release the book ‘The Real Action – Green Growth Development Story of Himachal Pradesh’ written by Nobel Laureate Padam Vibhushan, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director General, TERI, here today. While speaking on the occasion CM stated that State Government would be proposing ‘Green Budget’ for financial year 2013-14 by incorporating provisions for developing the tools and methodologies for ‘green accounting’ in planning and budget processes. He said that the State Government would be carrying environment cost manifestations in the budget for coming financial year by availing technical assistance under the World Bank Project approved for the State.
Chief Minister said that the State Government had taken a policy decision to earmark one percent of the annual revenue generated by the hydro electric projects being constructed in the State to be paid as Annual Allowance to all project affected families and be deposited into their bank accounts. He said that 85 percent of the annual revenue generated through sale of electricity would be distributed equally among project affected families, while the remaining 15 percent would be given as additional benefit to BPL families . He said that the State had envisioned basin wise Integrated Catchment Area Treatment Plan in the entire State so that environment protection activities were carried in an effective manner. He said that the State had already made a humble beginning by framing Environment Master Plan with certain guidelines. He said that big boost was being given to organic farming wherein JICA would be funding Rs. 321 crore project to the State and so far 4.25 lakh farmers had registered themselves for setting up of vermin compost units.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State had succeeded in getting the world’s largest Carbon Credit Project of World Bank sanctioned to treat 4000 hectares of land. He underlined the need for constitution of Trans Himalayan Development Authority with a view to protect the interests of the Himalayan States keeping in view their different developmental requirements. He said that the State would be evolving a model strategy for ecological development of the hill states. He said that the State had constituted State Level Governing Council and Executive Council on Climate Change to coordinate on climate change efforts in the State. He favoured nuclear energy where no alternate sources were available and underlined need for a National policy for the same.
Chief Minister said that all initiatives taken by the State Government in preservation and protection of the environment had been successful with the association of common man who had been the motivating force behind all such endeavours. An MoU was signed between the Government of Himachal Pradesh and TERI with regard to setting up of State Council of TERI at Shimla. Dr. R.K. Pachauri signed on behalf of the TERI while S. Roy, Chief Secretary signed on behalf of the State Government in the presence of Chief Minister.
Dr. R.K. Pachauri, appreciated the initiatives taken by the State Government on environment front which had made State a role model in preservation of environment at International level. He said that the proposed TERI Centre in Shimla would be contributing significantly in Horticulture, Transport, Cold Chain and Infrastructure sectors by suggesting environment friendly models. He said that modern life style was one of the reason for environment degradation. He said that demand for energy was increasing globally which was an impediment towards environment protection. He said that the global temperature was rising at an alarming pace and expressed need for green growth at the International level. He thanked Chief Minister for providing land to set up TERI State Council in the State.
Chief Secretary S. Roy welcomed the Chief Minister and Dr. R.K. Pachauri and said that the MOU signed with TERI would be a step towards receiving cooperation in the areas of energy efficiency, environment protection, earth science and climate change, sustainable development, training and capacity building, knowledge management, sustainable habitat, including green building, water resources, green growth development, bio-diversity and bio-resources which included forests, agriculture and horticulture as well. He said that 30 bighas of land has been provided at Chamiana village in Shimla for setting up of the Centre. He informed that World Bank had approved 200 M US$ loan to support Himachal Pradesh in pursuing its Green Growth Agenda for inclusive sustainable growth. He said that under CLAP (Community Led Assessment Awareness Advocacy and Action Programme) for Environment Protection and Carbon Neutrality, state had targeted 1,000 gram panchayats and 57 urban local bodies across the state out of which 400 panchayats had already been assessed for Carbon Foot Prints and aimed at covering a total of 700 panchayats by the end of current year. He said that the State had prepared a draft Action Plan on Climate Change which would shortly be submitted for approval of Government of India.
Sarveen Chaudhary, Social Justice and Environment Minister, Satpal Singh Satti, MLA and State President, BJP, Sanjay Chauhan, Mayor, Municipal Corporation and Tikender Panwar, Deputy Mayor, Kripal Parmar, Chairman, Agriculture Marketing Board, Prof. ADN Bajpayee, Vice Chancellor, HP University, Prof. R.K. Dhiman, Vice Chancellor, Dr.Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Trilok Kapoor, Chairman, WOOLFED, Ganesh Dutt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Heads of the Departments and prominent people from different organizations attended the function.
