Govt begins green audit of 10 firms

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 30

Under its climate change policy, the government has started an environmental audit of 10 environmentally sensitive pharmaceutical industries, paper mills and cement plants, said an official release here.

It stated that the roof-top solar power plant has been installed at Paryavaran Bhawan in Shimla. This plant generates 35 KV of energy per day, saving about Rs 4 lakh per year.

In order to reduce pollution emission in industries, the audit of functional projects and industrial units has been started twice in the state.

To reduce the risk of non-biodegradable wastes, the government has adopted a proactive approach through ‘Polythene Hatao, Paryavaran Bachao’ campaign. This campaign has started showing results as a 7-km road has been metalled near Taradevi in Shimla by using plastic waste.

The government has launched the buy-back policy of non-recyclable and single-use plastic waste for the ragpickers and households at a rate of Rs 75 per kg. So far, 1,055 kg of plastic has been collected under this scheme and this is improving the economy of ragpickers as well.

Besides this, a complete ban has been imposed on the use of plastic and thermocol cutlery in the state and the use of traditional plates and bowls of leaves are being promoted. The government has provided 100 machines to poor families for this purpose.

To make major tourist destinations of Shimla and Mandi free of noise pollution, a ‘“Horn Not OK” campaign has been started by the government. “Shor Nahi” mobile app has also been launched to register online complaints against noise pollutants in the state.

For motivating people, the Himachal government has started the “HP Paryavaran Utkrishtata Puruskar” and launched “Mukhya Mantri Green Technology Transfer Scheme” to provide livelihood and self-employment to the rural people affected by climate change.