Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the ‘Wetlands for Life’ film festival and forum, organized by the HP State Wetland Authority, HP Council for Science, Technology and Environment and the department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change. The event featured the screening of short films, including Guardians of Wetlands: Women as Stewards of Conservation, Green Renuka Ji Fair: A Collective Endeavour of Renuka Lake, and Municipal Solid Waste around wetlands in Himachal, initiative of healing Himalayas.
Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that environmental protection has a priority for the present state government and it was working tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty and ecological balance of the state. He remarked, "Last year, Himachal Pradesh faced a disaster unlike any we have witnessed in our lifetime. Every part of the state suffered significant damage.
Today, it is raining in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti areas that historically never received rainfall. Due to carbon emissions and changes in our lifestyle, the earth's temperature is rising and we are witnessing its harsh consequences in every part of the world. However, it is not too late, public participation is crucial in addressing this issue.
It is not solely the government's responsibility, but people must also engage in this noble cause, said the Chief Minister. He said that Himachal Pradesh's culture was deeply connected to environmental conservation. He stressed the importance of preparing the younger generation to face environmental challenges.
"Our aim is to make Himachal Pradesh an environmentally beautiful state, which will, in turn, boost tourism activities," he said. The Chief Minister reiterated that achieving self-reliance through renewable energy and the tourism sector was a priority for the state but it is equally important to maintain a balance with the environment.
To reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, the government was promoting e-vehicles. Several efforts were being made on multiple fronts to reduce carbon emissions. The Chief Minister said the state government has allocated Rs. 300 crore to HRTC for purchase of e-buses.
Additionally, a foundation stone for a one-megawatt green hydrocarbon project in Nalagarh of Solan district would be laid soon. He also said that the state government was making earnest efforts to harness solar and wind energy with a 32-megawatt solar power plant already operational at Pekhubela in Una district.
He stated that Himachal Pradesh was considered as the lungs of North India and to protect the state's forests, the government was involving women's groups in tree conservation efforts and the state had numerous measures in direction of environmental conservation and preservation.
The Chief Minister stated that such film festivals play a crucial role in drawing attention to the important issue of wetlands. He said that the protection of wetlands and lakes was essential for the survival of our society and future generations and the lessons young people learn through these films would play a significant role in preserving our wetlands.
He lauded the efforts of all stakeholders for conservation and preservation of the wetlands and said that wetlands cover only six percent of the Earth's surface, yet they were home to nearly 40 percent of the world's plant and animal species. In addition to their rich biodiversity, wetlands provide water, food and livelihoods to the people of the state.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, environmentalist and founder of the People's Science Institute Dr. Ravi Chopra and independent expert Dr. Somnath Bandopadhyay, former professor at Nalanda University, also spoke on the occasion. DC Rana, Member Secretary of HIMCOSTE, welcomed the Chief Minister while Kirtiman Awasthi, Project Manager of Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection presented the vote of thanks.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthy, MLAs Suresh Kumar, Vivek Sharma, Neeraj Nayyar, Vinod Sultanpuri, Sudarshan Babloo, Additional Chief secretaries K.K. Pant and Onkar Chand Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.