Green campaign along Shimla railway track from August 1

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 18

In an effort to get the extension for the prestigious heritage tag from Unesco for the 96-km-long Shimla-Kalka track, a High Court body has roped in eco-warriors of the Territorial Army, 2,000 schools, panchayats, the Railways and forests to launch a green campaign along the track from August 1.

Acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol chaired a high-level meeting involving top government officials and the HP State Legal Services Authority (HPSLSA) and the Territorial Army last weekend. He decided to launch a month-long campaign to plant saplings along the track.

The Northern Railway has identified 30 hectares. “The sites have been handed over to eco-warriors, an exercise that will go on for years. It will make the toy train journey a life-time experience,” said Prem Pal Ranta, member secretary, HPSLSA, who is monitoring the drive.

So far, 11.10 lakh saplings had been planted in the state till December, 2017, under the school sensitisation eco-project adopted by the HPSLSA, said Ranta. “Besides this, we planted 3,000 plants along the track on May 12,” he added.

This year, the HPSLSA has roped in 2,000 schools to launch the “Clean Himachal, Green Himachal” initiative.

The Unesco team may inspect the heritage track any time this year to review its status. The HC initiative has rekindled the hope that the heritage status will continue with the track, revealed a Railways official.