On World Environment Day, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the people to transform environmental protection into a mass movement and adopt sustainable practices in daily life.
Call for Collective Responsibility
Addressing a gathering at the Ridge in Shimla on Friday, Sukhu emphasized that clean air, water, forests, and rivers are invaluable natural resources, and their conservation is a collective responsibility. He highlighted Himachal Pradesh's crucial role in providing ecological services to the nation, stating that the state contributes environmental benefits worth nearly Rs 90,000 crore annually.
The Chief Minister said the government would strongly raise the state's concerns and rightful claims before the Centre, including at the upcoming NITI Aayog meeting.
Expanding Forest Cover and Green Initiatives
Referring to recent natural disasters, Sukhu stressed the need to expand forest cover. He announced that the state aims to increase forest cover to 32% by 2030 through various afforestation schemes. Additionally, he announced the addition of 297 electric buses to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) fleet and the establishment of two biochar plants to help prevent forest fires.
Crackdown on Drug Abuse
Sukhu reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating drug abuse, warning that the chitta mafia would be crushed completely. He said that the PIT-NDPS Act has been effectively implemented, resulting in the imprisonment of 174 drug traffickers and the seizure of assets worth Rs 51 crore. So far, 76 properties linked to drug activities have been identified, and 17 such properties have been demolished, he added.
