Work on Research Projects in Progress for strengthening Envirorment Management in the State

Work on Research Projects in Progress for strengthening Envirorment Management in the State

            

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA-----While presiding over State level World Environment Day-2021 function organised virtually at Shimla today Principal Secretary Environment, Science and Technology K.K. Pant said that the State Government has taken many effective steps for environmental protection, pollution control and climate change adaptation in the State. He said that Himachal Pradesh has emerged as a leading state of the country in environmental protection.

He informed that plastic cups, plates, glasses etc. have been banned in the state in the year 2011. Items made of thermocol such as thali, cups, plates, spoons etc. have also been banned in the year 2018, besides other steps he added.

Principal Secretary said that plastic waste was being collected through Polythene hatao – Paryavaran Bachao campaign and it was being used for road construction and as fuel in the cement industries. He said that every year about 60 tonnes plastic waste was being collected and 190 km roads were metalled using the plastic.

He said that the State Government has launched Buy Back Policy for procuring non-recyclable plastic waste at Rs. 75 per kg to tackle the problem arising due to plastic packaging waste. Under the scheme, 1,35,600 kg plastic has been procured so far by spending an amount of Rs. 87 lakh.

He said that work on many research projects was in progress for strengthening the environmental management in the state. Land Slide Early Warning System has been developed with the help of experts from IIT Mandi. The Air Quality Monitoring System has also been developed by the Environment, Science and Technology Department.

On this occasion, the Principal Secretary released the Climate Risk Assessment Report a pilot study of Kullu district prepared by the department with technical support from GIZ.

A small documentary film produced by Aarushi Thakur working in the field of environmental protection was also screened on this occasion.

Director Environment, Science and Technology, Sudesh Kumar Mokhta proposed vote of thanks and said that many effective steps have been taken by the state government to tackle the serious challenges posed by climate change.

Additional Director Environment, Science and Technology Parveen Gupta welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. He detailed about various schemes and programs being implemented by the department.

On this occasion, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Government of India Richa Sharma, representative of the Government of Germany Mohamed Al Khawad, Director GIZ Germany Ashish Chaturvedi, Senior Policy Advisor Kirtiman Awasthi, representatives of various universities and institutions participated in the program virtually. Member Secretary Pollution Control Board Dr. Nipun Jindal, Joint Secretary Forest Satpal Dhiman and Principal Scientific Officer Suresh Attri attended the program in Shimla.