INVC,,
Shimla,.,
Emission Reduction Purchase signed by the State Government with World Bank, as a historic step with long term benefits to the State. The agreement on Emission Reduction Purchase with World Bank, a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Bio-Carbon Sub-Project of Himachal Pradesh under Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project, was signed yesterday at Shimla which would ensure Carbon Credits to the State.
While hailing the decision of the State Government, Thakur Gulab Singh said here today said that Himachal Pradesh had taken a lead in the country by signing this agreement which would cover over 4000 hectares of area spread across 177 gram panchayats in 10 districts of the State. He said that the project aims at protecting watersheds, improving livelihoods and generating carbon revenue for the communities through aforestation.
Thakur Gulab Singh said that the Project would sequester Green House Gases by expanding forestry plantations on mostly degraded lands apart from creating a carbon sink besides fulfilling global and national environmental objectives. He said that it would also help in minimizing climate change risks and provide multiple benefits to the poor farmers of the State. He said that credit of this goes to the far sighted and visionary leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, who once again has proved his political acumenship and commitment to ensure all-round development of the State. He said that the people of the Project area would be benefited immensely with the implementation of the project as they would be deriving cash incentives out of the project.
Public Works Minister said that taking a lead in reducing the carbon emissions and earning carbon credits for the same, Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the first state in the country to march towards achieving carbon neutrality. He said that the Project is bound to transform the socio-economic condition of the people by providing more livelihood option to the rural poor. He said that it would not only generate environment benefits through carbon regeneration but also improve revenue generating capacity of small farmers.
Thakur Gulab Singh said that in an attempt to conserve the pristine environment of the Himalayas, the present State Government under the leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal imposed complete ban on use of polythene in the State. He said that for this a buy back scheme for plastic waste from urban local bodies has been started and plastic waste was being bought at Rs. 3 per kg and an additional rupee would be given as handling charges. He said that State Government was providing fiscal incentives to panchayats, urban bodies and individuals for contributing towards proper collection of waste plastic in their respective areas.
Public Works Minister said that the State has also pioneered in making use of plastic in construction of roads. He said that last year, about 30 Ton of collected plastic waste was used for tarring of 42 km. of roads and during the current plastic waste would be used in tarring of 150 km. of roads. He said that the small hilly State has earned the distinction of being a trendsetter in development issues. Now the State has emerged as a pioneer in Asia to use plastic in construction of roads, he added.
