Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur gave away the State Environment Leadership Awards 2018-19 during the prize distribution function organised by the department of Environment, Science & Technology here today.The state level best Eco-Club award was given to Devdar Eco-Club of GSSS, Pressi, Distt. Mandi, Green Army Eco-Club Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School Nahan, District Sirmour and Chandan Eco-Club GSSS Sarol Distt. Chamba.In the The CM Rolling Trophy Green School Programme, Govt. Sen. Sec. School Bohli, District Solan, Him Academy Public School, Vikas Nagar, District Hamirpur won the first and second prizes in changemaker school category while Govt. High School Kotli, District Solan and Bhojnagar, District Solan in the new entrant school category.District Solan was adjudged as the Best Performing District. Besides, the awards were also given to the winners of the painting competitions in the junior and senior categories.Director, Environment, Science & Technology D.C Rana said that state government has introduced “Himachal Pradesh Environment Leadership Awards” to be conferred annually in order to recognize outstanding/ remarkable contribution by institutions/ individuals in promotion of environment protection and conservation and sustainable development in the State through inspiring and exemplary initiatives, vision, transformative action on their own. The individuals/NGOs/Institutions from various categories had been shortlisted for the award through a competitive process. The event also included presentations on best practices being implemented by various stakeholders in different fields of environment protection in the State.