Himachal eyes first carbon-free state tag

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CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh is eyeing the tag of country’s first carbon-free state and the world’s second.

As part of the endeavour, it has mandated all departments to begin environment audit from this year.

Residents are expected to undergo a lifestyle change, according to the environment master plan and ‘Policy & Strategy on Climate Change & Harnessing Carbon Credits’. Beginning with green audits, the policy seeks to focus keenly on the functioning of all departments, especially those involved in developmental activities.

“We have to ensure that the technology used for projects, road cutting and tunnel digging is not harmful to flora and fauna. So, it (technology) must change as we have to ensure that basic things, like disposal of household waste, are done in an environment friendly manner,” said Arun Sharma, special secretary to the chief minister.

The plan entails a different approach towards disposal of garbage by civic bodies and of muck by contractors involved in hydel projects or those into developmental activities like construction of bridges.

The government will sign a memorandum of understanding with the state of California to ensure that the ambitious program is implemented properly even as it actively engages experts like R K Pachauri, chairman of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, who have evinced interest in coming on board.

Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal told TOI, “The state is working towards providing a model that other hill states can also emulate. Involvement of people is of prime importance and every Himachali will have a role in making the state carbon free.”

Those in the know said California is watchful of Himachal’s progress on the environment front. “We hope to have an agreement with the state of California soon,” revealed Kumar. “The government hopes to announce the implementation of its carbon neutral policy by March,” added J P Nadda, environment and forest minister.

Explaining the course of action, he said, “An area of 12,000 hectares has been made available for carbon credits. A validator from the World Bank will verify that this much land is made available for the purpose on which trees will be grown.”

Most of this land is under the panchayats where awareness has already been generated by distributing free CFL bulbs, at least four for each family. “This has been done under a national scheme at the cost of Rs 80 crore,” said Kumar.