Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Monday that Himachal Pradesh will develop a policy aimed at discovering alternative options to plastic. The state plans to formulate a policy within the year and encourage industries to explore substitutes for plastic.
CM Sukhu expressed his intentions to eventually impose a “comprehensive ban on plastic usage” during a state-wide event on World Environment Day.
He emphasised exploring the uses of plastic waste in road building, additionally suggesting incorporating culture and environment-focused subjects into school curriculums to foster environmental consciousness among children. The state government is actively seeking alternatives to boost and preserve the environment the Chief Minister said, urging people to cooperate with the administration’s efforts to protect the environment and reduce pollution.
The Chief Minister shed light on the first budget while asserting his dedication to shaping a greener future for Himachal Pradesh. In order to address environmental issues, he said the state government has presented a green budget, allocating funds for renewable energy initiatives besides focusing on combating the circulation of single-use plastic. Within the next three years, government vehicles will be gradually replaced by electric vehicles, and the state is actively promoting the production of solar and wind energy, the Chief Minister said.
To support eco-friendly transportation, the Himachal government is offering a 50 per cent subsidy on the purchase of e-buses, e-trucks, and e-taxis. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the income of individuals engaged in the transportation sector, Sukhu added. Himachal Pradesh is taking the lead in establishing green corridors thereby becoming the first State in the country to do so and infrastructure development is underway for this purpose, said officials. The government is also focusing on the production of green hydrogen; the Himachal Pradesh government has set itself a deadline of March 2026 to complete its transformation into a Green Energy State. Chief Minister Sukhu has also urged the Central Government to increase the State’s share in hydropower projects.