The World Bank has agreed to sanction $450-million loan for promoting sustainable environmental growth in Himachal Pradesh. The loan will enable Himachal to become first carbon-neutral state in Asia.
Officials in the chief minister?s office (CMO) told FE the World Bank has in principle agreed to sanction Himachal Pradesh Programmatic Development Policy Loan (DPL) of $450 million considering the path-breaking track record of the state on environmental growth front. The bank in its latest report has made a special mention of the increase in green cover in the state as a result of ?Himachal Mid-Himalayan Watershed Development Project.?
The move would boost socio-economic development in the hill state. Around 12,000 hectare of degraded land has been identified for afforestation, which would enable the state to earn carbon credits for 30 years. A validator from the World Bank will verify the area of land to be made available for the purpose, officials added.
Environment and forest minister JP Nadda said Himachal could earn at least Rs six crore annually from the sale of carbon credits to the World Bank. The forest department has identified 25 species, including fruit and medicinal plants like mango, fig and aonla, which not only have a good capacity of carbon sequestration but also help in regulation of hydrological cycle.
The state has also been offered support by South American nation Costa Rica in reducing greenhouse emissions and earning carbon credits. ?Costa Rica would help in reduction of fossil fuels by helping farmers to grow the suggested foods locally to cut on food miles, shipments, carriage which result in burning of fossil fuels. Using its expertise, it would evolve indigenous methods for conservation of water too,? Nadda said.
An eight-member delegation, headed by Dhumal had recently visited Costa Rica to learn ?green? lessons and to draw a roadmap for becoming the first carbon-neutral state in the country.
The state also has a huge potential for hydroelectric generation to earn carbon credits as hydroelectric projects provide clean power compared to the highly polluting coal-based thermal plants. The government has also planned to begin environment audit for all departments from this year.
The state government has already banned deforestation and strict vigil is being kept over smuggling of forest wealth, besides encouraging people?s participation in increasing the green cover.
The state has also launched an ambitious ?Jaj Jan Sanjivni Abhiyan? providing atleast one herbal plant to every family in the state for plantation indoor or outdoor as a symbol of their participation in the campaign in making Himachal Pradesh more ecofriendly.
Beginning with green audits, the policy seeks to focus keenly on the functioning of all departments, especially those involved in developmental activities.
The top official added that ?We have to ensure that the technology used for projects, road cutting and tunnel digging is not harmful to flora and fauna?.