By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 11 Mar: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a seminar organised on the topic, ‘Climate Change and Renewable Energy – Challenges and Solutions’, at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology here today. Addressing the seminar, the CM asserted that climate change currently stands as a serious challenge for the entire world. Recalling the experience of last year’s summer, he noted that due to climate change, the temperature in the hills, including in Dehradun, was much higher than in the past. He emphasised the commendable effort to spread awareness about climate change and discuss its solutions in depth, describing the seminar as an opportunity to understand the challenges of climate change and a unique platform to strengthen our resolve towards the environment.
Dhami also reminded the gathering that under the “Hariyali Mission”, lakhs of saplings are being planted in the state and that efforts are also being made to revive ponds and traditional water sources in 1,000 villages through the “Jal Shakti Abhiyan”. With the objective of promoting water conservation in the state, the Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority has been formed, under which 5500 water sources and 292 tributary rivers have been identified and treated. With the help of Wadia Institute, a Glacier Study Centre has also been established to understand the signals given by nature and to work on making effective policies to prevent its erosion.
The CM also noted that the 38th National Games held in the state were organised on the theme of Green Games and that during the entire event, 2.77 hectares of forest area was established as ‘Khel Van’ by planting one Rudraksha plant in the name of each medal-winning player. He claimed that Uttarakhand is the first state in the country attempting to assess the environmental contributions of water, forest, land, and mountains by preparing an index of GEP (Gross Environment Product) on the lines of GDP.
He added that green energy is being encouraged on a large scale in place of fossil-based fuels. With the implementation of the “New Solar Energy Policy,” work is being done towards achieving 1400 MW solar capacity by the year 2027; a large number of people are installing solar panels in the state by taking advantage of the subsidy under the “PM Suryaghar Yojana” and “Mukhyamantri Solar Swarozgar Yojana.”
Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal stressed that to preserve forest wealth, it is necessary to connect local people with forests. This can preserve the state forests and also provide livelihoods to people. Uniyal added that a detailed plan has been made to reduce forest fires this year.
On this occasion, folk singer Narendra Singh Negi, Youth Foundation founder Col Ajay Kothiyal (Retd), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and HoFF Dr Dhananjay Mohan, Director Wadia Institute Dr Vineet Kumar Gehlot, scientists Dr JB Singh and Dr Hridaya Chauhan, and audience from various institutions were also present.
