Master plan to protect sensitive ecology of Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: State Government was in the process of formulation of Environment Master Plan keeping in view the sensitive ecological conditions as a long term planning to address environmental issues more effectively. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in his presidential address he made in ‘Interactive Meet on Governance’ jointly organized by the General Administrative Department in collaboration with Pollution Control Department, here today.
Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh happened to be the First State in the country to formulate such a Plan in consultation with the environmental experts. He said that there was need for mass awareness to sensitize the common man about the drastic impact of degrading environment the world over. He said that need had emerged to take pledge to join hands to make the planet more eco-friendly and worth living. He said that unless the awakening at the grass root level was not visible the impact of the climate change and global warming would not be a subject of every one’s concern. He said that the State Government had taken many a effective steps to address environment related issues. He said that the State Government had also decided to conduct environment audit of all the departments with a view to ensure that there were no activity being undertaken by it which was hazardous to the environment. He said that besides the State Government was also endeavouring Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State had also taken initiative to constitute ‘Environment Fund’ with a view to encourage people’s participation in protection of the environment. He said that a Committee had also been constituted to maintain the accounts and spend the donations as per the prescribed norms. He said that 50 percent of the donations would be spent over maintenance of environment and reduction of carbon emissions, 25 percent over infrastructure creation. 10 percent on environment education activities and awareness programmes while the remaining would be utilized under the discretion of the concerned environment committees. He said that it had been an honest and sincere effort to encourage people’s participation in the most important and invaluable environmental issue. He said that the State Government had also raised the Payment for Environment Services demand with the Government of India in compensation to the forest wealth valued at over Rs. 1.5 lakh crores which was not only national heritage but also major source to conserve and preserve the environment in the entire northern region. He said that added efforts were being made to carry plantation in a big way on all barren patches.
Chief Minister emphasized the need to strike a balance between development and environment so that instead of impediments to each other it could be complimentary and supplementary. He said that the State would be making concerted efforts to make many more beginnings by taking initiatives of national and global concern.
Mr. J.P.Nadda, Forest and Environment Minister, welcomed the Chief Minister and appealed for massive support to the environment causes being initiated by the State Government. He said that public representatives could be the ambassadors of environment who could motivate people to join the movement to reduce green house gases to the minimum. He said that Himachal Pradesh was poised to emerge as a Carbon Neutral State in association with the people of the State. He said that Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna was one of the steps directed towards carbon neutrality and saving wastage of power. He said that Payment for Environmental Services was one of the other issues raised with the Government of India to compensate the State. He said that road map for environment protection had been prepared to undertake various activities in future.