Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Inaugurates 'Van Mahotsav' and Green Initiatives
Key Ideas
- Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister inaugurated the 75th state-level 'Van Mahotsav' by planting an oak sapling and announced a target to plant saplings across 9,000 hectares in the state.
- The launch of the e-forest software aims to enhance transparency and streamline operations within the Forest Department, with a focus on increasing fruit tree plantation in forest areas to 60% for positive outcomes.
- Forest and revenue growth were highlighted with the processing of salvage trees, increasing timber sales revenue substantially, and raising the state government's royalty income from Rs 35 crore to Rs 70 crore.
- Green initiatives in Himachal Pradesh include the establishment of a 32 MW solar power plant in Una district, upcoming solar plants, and a memorandum of understanding with Oil India Company for green hydrogen production, aligning with the state's green energy goals.
In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the 75th state-level 'Van Mahotsav' by planting an oak sapling at his official residence. The Forest Department has set a goal to plant saplings across 9,000 hectares in the state, alongside launching the beta testing of e-forest software to improve transparency and operations. The Chief Minister emphasized increasing fruit tree plantation in forest areas to 60% for positive outcomes. Notably, the Forest Department and Forest Corporation processed 15,000 salvage trees last year, doubling the state government's royalty income to Rs 70 crore. In Lahaul-Spiti district, women groups are engaged in plantation and forest conservation activities, generating revenue. The state's green initiatives include a 32 MW solar power plant in Una district, forthcoming solar plants, and a partnership with Oil India Company for green hydrogen production to advance green energy goals.