Strike balance between development and environmental protection: CM

18th September 2025

Keeping in view the climate changes and the disaster like conditions in the State since as witnessed in 2023 and now in 2025 the role of Village Forest Management Society (VFMS) becomes more important for conserving the forests and work unitedly with the forest department to keep check on illegal activities for which the societies will also be honoured for their efforts. The government is appointing ‘Van Mitras’ to address the shortage of forest field staff and help protect forests, as well.
The Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has exhorted youth to take active part in the movement to preserve forests and emphasized for striking a balance between development and environmental protection to ensure a secure, prosperous and green Himachal for future generations.
To ensure a Green Himachal the state government has implemented several initiatives covering green energy, sustainable waste management, eco-tourism, and natural farming. These efforts are part of a larger, long-term strategy to become India’s first Green Energy State.
Various initiatives have been taken during the last almost more than two and a half years to make Himachal Pradesh a ‘Green and Clean State’, with an objective to improve the effectiveness of environmental management, protect vulnerable ecosystems and enhance sustainability of development. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of North India’s first Green Hydrogen Plant at Dabhota in Nalagarh Tehsil of Solan district.
There has been a shift towards harnessing solar energy. Surveys are underway to harness 325 megawatts (MW) of solar projects, and seven projects with a total capacity of 72 MW were allocated to companies in early 2025. The state is developing 200 “Green Panchayats” by installing solar plants with a 200-kilowatt capacity. The construction of green corridors, launching of e-vehicles as compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles to reduce the carbon footprints, the Green School Programme, etc are the several key initiatives taken to make realize the dream of ‘Green Energy State’.
Chief Minister has announced to distribute 60 thousands stainless steel water bottles to school students, so that they could refrain from the use of plastic water bottles. Regulations related to plastic use have been made quite stringent. Agreements have been signed with cement plants to co-process non-recyclable plastic waste, ensuring its environmentally safe disposal.
The state has received approval for Rs 143.35 crore for 2025-26 Annual Plan of Operation, for afforestation under the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
Chief Minister stated that the “Plastic Challenging Mobile App” was yet another significant step towards digitizing enforcement of environmental laws. With this app, officials from 13 departments will now be able to issue challan directly through their mobile devices which would eliminate the need for paper-based processes and promote environmental protection. Guidelines have also been issued to support the development of eco-villages, promoting integrated, sustainable development at the local level.