Himachal CM Urges Citizens To Make Environmental Protection Mass Movement

Shimla:Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called upon all sections of society to transform environmental protection into a proactive mass movement. The Chief Minister emphasized that natural resources like clean water, pristine air, and thick forests are the ultimate foundations of life, making their conservation a binding collective responsibility.

Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted the state’s massive contribution to the nation's ecological stability, noting that Himachal Pradesh functions as the "Lungs of North India." The state delivers critical downstream ecological services valued at roughly ₹90,000 crore annually, a contribution the CM vowed to strongly leverage for rightful financial compensation from the Central Government at the upcoming NITI Aayog meet.

Reflecting on the severe natural disasters that devastated the state in recent years, the Chief Minister underscored the urgent need to expand green cover. He announced an aggressive target to increase Himachal’s total forest cover to 32 percent by the year 2030. To achieve this, the administration is deploying multi-pronged afforestation initiatives like the Mukhya Mantri Van Vistar Yojana and the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana to actively convert barren hillsides into lush landscapes through community integration.

Furthermore, Sukhu unveiled structural green transit updates, confirming that 297 new electric buses will soon join the state transport corporation's fleet. To mitigate aggressive wildfires while fostering local employment, the government is also establishing two dedicated biochar plants that utilize dry forest pine needles. The event concluded with the presentation of the State Environmental Excellence Awards to pioneering individuals, industries, and local village panchayats leading grassroots conservation across the hill state.