World Environment Day: Himachal to develop four new eco villages to promote sustainable living

The Newz Radar

SHIMLA: In a significant move towards promoting sustainable living, the Himachal Pradesh government plans to develop four eco villages this year. The selected villages are Khangna in Chopal block of Shimla district, Siddhroti in the Lower Koti panchayat of Rohru, Chaproh in Amb block of Una and Baleta in Neri panchayat of Hamirpur. A budget of approximately Rs 50 lakh will be allocated to each village over a span of five years with Rs 4 lakh being provided by the Department of Environmental Science and Technology. Additional funds will be obtained by converging with other schemes.

These villages were chosen in 2022 as part of the eco village scheme, aiming to create efficient village communities equipped with the skills and competencies necessary to tackle resource constraints, changing climate and related environmental challenges. The initiative will focus on environmental protection measures and effective waste management practices.

Himachal Pradesh has previously established 13 eco villages, including Janjehli and Leh in Mandi district, Deothal in Sirmaur, Baghauli and Kamru in Kinnaur, Tepra and Kandraur in Bilaspur, Mahog in Solan, Shaleen in Kullu, Kori in Kangra, Beed and Changar in Una and Chamba village. The village of Lag Manvi in Bhanjru, Hamirpur, was developed under the Adarsh Eco Village Scheme in 2020. The selection criteria for these eco villages includes a population of more than 200.

The development of eco villages in the state is being supervised by Director of the Environmental Science and Technology Department, DC Rana; Chief Scientific Officer Suresh Atri, Nodal Officer of Hamirpur Manum Sharma and Development Officer Abhinit Katyan. Their efforts aim to foster sustainable practices and create model eco villages in Himachal Pradesh, emphasising the importance of environmental consciousness and community development.