Shimla: Set up with the objective of environmental protection, conservation and making efforts to reduce carbon footprints, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today announced notification of Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund for the purpose.
He said the fund would help the state to achieve carbon neutrality. The fund is a voluntary contribution corpus and any individual, industry, NGO, associations, corporate bodies and societies are free to contribute towards.
Part of the funds would be utilized for relief for environment protection including environmental losses sustained as a result of natural calamities.
Some grants would be given to villages proactive for environment protection and reducing carbon footprints and to the schools, institutions, organizations showing proactive role in environmental protection and conservation, the chief minister said.
Lauding the visionary step JP Nadda, environment minister said that the state has a specia1 role cut out for the protection of himalayan ecology, flora and fauna.
Chief Secretary Asha Swarup stated that the creation of fund was a reflection of commitment for protection and conservation of environment and to usher the state on the path of ‘sustainable development.
Sarojini Ganju Thakur, Principal Secretary stated that the fund would be administered through an eight member “Environment Fund Administering Committee” headed by the chief minister.
She said the committee would have six official members including the member secretary and two non-official members.
The chief minister office and director, environment, science & technology have been notified as designated authorities for the receipt of donations and contributions under the Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund.
She said at the District Level Office of Deputy Commissioners in H.P. have been notified as designated authorities for the receipt of donations/contributions.
All donations -contributions would have to be made in the form of demand draft or crossed account payee cheques payable to ‘Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund’, Shimla, H.P.
She also stated that the account in respect of Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund shall be operated by the Director (Environment, Science & Technology) who has been made the Member Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund.
The Department of Environment, Science and Technology would be nodal agency to provide all logistic support and discharge duties in respect of all functions of the Himachal Pradesh Environment Fund, said Sarojini Thakur.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
