HIMACHAL PRADESH is poised to become first carbon neutral state in India by the year 2020 by undertaking "carbon smart growth", asserted Chief Minister Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal while speaking in 12th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit organised by The Energy and Resource institute on "Protecting the Global Commons; 20 years Post Rio" at Hotel Taj Palace New Delhi today.

He said that state govt has invented GHG emission for assessing the carbon footprints and said that the carbon footprint per capita in Himachal Pradesh has been assessed at 1.4 tonne per capita in comparison to national average of 1.57 tonnes per capita. He said that state govt has signed ERPA --MOU with World Bank for harnessing carbon credits to  generate carbon revenues amounting to Rs 20 crores for 20 years under "Bio--Carbon Projects " in 177 gram panchayats in 4000 hectare land in 10 districts of the state. He advocated the market based instrument "Payment for Eco -system Services" for maintenance , conservation and expansion of pristine Himalayan flora and fauna and pleaded for dedicated funds and support by developed nations to phase out obsolete technologies and for R& D activities for new technologies, both in climate change and environment infrastructure.

Chief Minister said that state govt has prepared Environment Master Plan for sectoral guidelines in environmental protection and added that state govt will launch "State Centre  on Climate Change" shortly in Shimla, which would serve as centre of excellence for co-ordinating research on climate change. He said the state govt has created Environment Fund through voluntary contribution from individuals and organisations for environment protection and stressed the need for more incentives and resources for financing mitigation and adaption strategies.

Dhumal announced that govt has set up "Virtual Centre "of "State Centre for Science, Learning & Creativity" which will be dedicated to the state on 10th Feb next in presence of Dr R.K.Pachauri Director General TERI. He said that all govt departmenst have been asked to carry out their energy and environment audits and introspect on action and policies for mitigation and adaption measures.

Dhumal added that state govt has started a mission called "Community Led Assessment, Awareness, Advocacy & Action Programme (CLAP) for environment protection and carbon neutrality at panchayat level under which initially 1000 panchayats will be covered out of total 3000 panchayats in the state. He said that so far around 250 panchayats have been covered including the remotest Lahaul Spiti areas of state. He said that state govt has constituted "State Level Governing Council" and "Executive Council on Climate Change" to oversee and coordinate the activities on climate change in the state. He told that series of meetings and seminars were organised on climatic changes for legislatures, govt departments, industry and media to raise awareness and sensitivity on the environmental issues in the state.

Dhumal said that state govt has promoted the use of non --conventional energy sources for space heating and discourage use of charcoal, coal, fossil fuels etc to reduce GHG emission and stated that state govt has formulated Organic Farming Policy, 2011 to phase out the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and promote organic farming in the state. He said that state govt is strengthening "Appropriate Technology Centre" for promoting green building culture in the state and added that state govt is working for expansion of rail and ropeways network in the state to check pollution and GHG emission. He told that state govt has signed MOU with GAIL for supply of piped gas for fuel   requirements of local residents and added that govt is promoting environmental friendly solar passive technologies and rain water harvesting system in the state. He said that state govt has been conferred with "Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration for Sustainable Waste Management' for restricting use of plastic carry bags, plastic cups and tumblers in the state and added that state govt has promoted the use of polythene waste in road construction and cement kilns as fuel substitute.

He said that Himachal Pradesh took lead to organise chief minister's summit on Himalayan states on "Glaciers, Climate Change & Livelihood" which led to establishment of "Himalayan Sustainable Development Forum" for better cooperation on sustainable development in Himalayan region. He told that state govt has developed an integrated and comprehensive approach towards building a sustainable and climate resilient economy by involving the general masses .He told that conservation issues have been made part of education curriculum with 9 point Environment Conservation Code under which emphasis has been laid on saving water, protecting trees and encompassing environmental issues.

He said that code is recited by all school children after morning assembly to prepare future environmental sentinels. Chief Minister said that state govt has launched Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna to reduce energy consumption and GHG emission by distributing free 4 CFLs to every household in the state and added that it has been mandated to release of 15% minimum low flow in all hydel power projects to preserve downstream river ecology. He said that state govt has established "Aryabhatta Geo –information & Space Application Centre to facilitate decentralized planning and rational decision making through integrated natural resources data management system and added that state govt is developing the tools and methodologies for green accounting in planning and budget process. He advocated the setting up of Trans Himalayan Development Authority as the ecological maintenance and sustenance of Himalayan eco-system is critical for survival and livelihood of people in the downstream states.