‘Green bonus’ can fetch Rs 90,000 crore per year for ecological services: CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that the Central Government should provide a ‘green bonus’ to Himachal Pradesh for the ecological services it was rendering to the nation.

Sukhu said that it was with the aim of realising the vision of a green state that Himachal had made rapid strides in this direction. “It is unfortunate that so far Himachal has not been provided any compensation in the form of ‘green bonus’ though it has taken several green initiatives. We have urged the Central Government and the 16th Finance Commission to appreciate Himachal’s contribution in this regard and compensate it adequately,” he added.

Sukhu said that the government would initiate a technical and scientific evaluation of Himachal’s ecological services to the nation, which, as per the estimates, could fetch around Rs 90,000 crore every year.

“Our government has taken effective steps to develop Himachal as a green energy state by March 31, 2026. If we use 90 per cent renewable or green energy sources for consumption, which is around 14,000 million units, we can truly call ourselves a green state,” he added.

Sukhu said that his government was promoting e-buses in the HRTC by converting its fleet into e-vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that were around 16 per cent to 20 per cent from the transport sector alone. Six green corridors were being constructed in the state and soon 41 additional charging stations would be set up in these corridors, he added.