HP to become first carbon-neutral state
Himachal Pradesh will be the first state in the country to become carbon neutral by 2020 by undertaking ''carbon smart growth'', Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal claimed on Thursday.
“The carbon footprint per capita in Himachal Pradesh has been assessed at 1.4 tonne per capita in comparison to national average of 1.57 tonne per capita,” Dhumal said while speaking at 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.
The summit with the theme “Protecting the Global Commons: 20 years Post Rio” was organised by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) headed by the environmentalist R K Pachauri.
Dhumal said the Himachal Pradesh government has signed an agreement with World Bank for harnessing carbon credits to generate revenue amounting to Rs 20 crores under ‘Bio-Carbon Projects.’
He added that the government has created ‘Environment Fund’ through voluntary contribution from individuals and organisations for environment protection.
The government has started a mission called ‘Community Led Assessment, Awareness, Advocacy & Action Programme ‘ for environment protection and carbon neutrality at panchayat level under which initially 1000 panchayats will be covered out of total 3000 panchayats in the hill state.
Dhumal said around 250 panchayats have been covered including the remotest Lahaul Spiti areas of the Himalayan state.
